💥 Why Explosive Power Declines First After 40 (And How to Fight It)

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Why Explosive Power Declines First After 40 (And How to Fight It)

One of the first physical qualities to decline with age isn’t strength.

It’s power.

Power is your ability to produce force quickly: sprinting, jumping, accelerating, and changing direction. Most men stop training these qualities somewhere in their 30s, and by their 40s, they notice they feel “slower,” even if they’re still strong.

The good news? Power can be trained safely.

Short hill sprints. Controlled medicine ball throws. Light kettlebell swings. Even fast-paced step-ups. These don’t need to be extreme; they need to be intentional. When you reintroduce controlled explosiveness, your nervous system wakes up. Movements feel sharper. Athleticism returns.

You don’t have to train like a 22-year-old. But you can absolutely train like an athlete again.

Pro Tip: The Simplest Way to Train Like an Athlete Again

If you want to feel athletic without risking injury.

Add this:

Move with intent.

Even during regular lifts:

• Drive the weight up with speed (controlled, not sloppy)

• Focus on crisp transitions

• Avoid grinding every rep

Athletic training isn’t about reckless intensity.

It’s about controlled force production. Fast intent. Perfect form. Smart loading.

Question from Our Readers

“Should I be doing any sprint work at my age?”

— Greg, 50, from Kansas City

Short answer: Yes — but intelligently.

Sprinting is excellent for:

• Cardiovascular conditioning

• Hormonal response

• Maintaining fast-twitch muscle fibers

But it must be progressed properly. Start with:

• Brisk incline walking

• Short hill strides

• Bike or rower intervals

Flat-out track sprints on cold legs?

That’s where injuries happen. Progression protects you.

Fit Trivia: Which legendary 80s NFL running back was famous for extreme offseason conditioning, including hill sprints and brutal workouts?

Answer: Walter Payton! Nicknamed “Sweetness,” Walter Payton was known for training on steep sand dunes during the offseason. His legendary conditioning helped him dominate well into the later stages of his career.
Durability is built when no one is watching.

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Publisher: Ryan Engel

Editor: Michael Pender

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