Health and Fitness

Not Keeping Your Air Clean: 7 Surprising Consequences

Not keeping your air clean costs you more than you think. From a 60% higher dementia risk to a $500 AC repair, here are 7 real consequences.

Published

12 months ago

October 16, 2025

Admin

Not Keeping Your Air Clean: 7 Surprising Consequences

Keeping your air clean versus ignoring it isn’t a fair fight. One side costs a filter change and a little attention. The other side costs you brain health, sleep, and a repair bill that arrives when it’s 38°C outside.

Here are seven consequences of not keeping your air in order, based on what researchers and HVAC techs actually report.

Table of Contents

Consequence 1: Your Dementia Risk Climbs With Every Microgram

Air pollution isn’t just a lung issue. A 2023 systematic review found that for every 2 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) increase in annual average PM2.5 exposure, overall dementia risk rises by four per cent.

Put real numbers on that. London averaged 8.4 µg/m3 in 2023. Coraopolis, Pennsylvania hit 19.3 µg/m3. Delhi averaged 100 µg/m3. If you live in a city at Delhi’s level, the math stops being abstract.

According to Science Focus, 90 per cent of the global population breathes air that exceeds World Health Organization targets on particulate matter. You are probably in that group.

Consequence 2: Your AC Works Harder And Dies Younger

HVAC technician Kevin Kubacki, general manager of Hope Plumbing, says extreme heat puts “a lot of stress” on cooling systems. When you don’t maintain airflow, that stress compounds.

His team installs a new air conditioner every day in summer. Each install takes all day. That’s the hidden cost of not keeping your air moving.

Warning signs Kubacki lists: grinding or buzzing noises, strange smells, ice on the outside lines (refrigerant leak), and water in the indoor unit. Any of those means something is breaking down.

Consequence 3: You Pay For A Repair You Could Have Prevented

Kubacki’s advice is blunt. Change your furnace filter every few months. Check the outside unit for debris. Keep vents clear.

He also flags a mistake people make constantly: putting couches or furniture over return vents. You’re choking the system and paying for it.

He recommends maintenance twice a year, as seasons change. Skipping that is how a cheap filter turns into a full unit replacement.

Consequence 4: Your Home Gets Hotter Because You Heat It Yourself

When there’s extreme heat, Kubacki says focus on two things: airflow and not heating up your home.

That means drawing blinds, and avoiding the dishwasher, dryer, and oven during the hottest part of the day. These appliances dump heat straight into the air your AC is trying to cool.

Not keeping your air in check isn’t only about filters. It’s about what you run, and when.

Consequence 5: Your Sleep And Focus Take The Hit

Dementia risk gets the headlines, but the daily effects show up sooner. Poor air quality and a strained cooling system mean warmer rooms, worse sleep, and foggier afternoons.

The Science Focus research also points to sleep as a factor in cognitive decline. The article notes that making sleep a priority is one of the expert-recommended ways to reduce dementia risk. Hot, stuffy air works against that.

Consequence 6: Your Kitchen Air Gets Worse If You Use The Wrong Appliance

Air fryers are marketed as low-mess, low-oil cooking. That’s mostly true, but not for everything.

Recipe developer Sarah Hill says wet-battered foods like beer-battered fish or tempura fail in an air fryer. “Without oil to set them quickly, like in deep frying, the coating tends to drip off before it crisps,” she explained.

Lynne Just, Consumer Test Kitchen Manager at Hamilton Beach Brands, adds that the batter “drips off of wet-battered foods, which makes a mess.” That mess burns, and burnt food puts particles into your kitchen air.

Other foods that don’t belong in an air fryer, per Health: uncoated cheese (melts too fast), lightweight greens like spinach or arugula (fly around and cook unevenly), and popcorn (most air fryers don’t reach consistent high heat).

Consequence 7: You Miss The Easy Wins That Actually Work

Here’s the flip side. Some air fryer foods work better than you’d expect, and they cut down on oil and smoke.

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs crisp up at 375°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway. Salmon fillets brush with Dijon and honey, then air fry at 400°F for 7 to 9 minutes. Hard-boiled eggs go in at 270°F for about 15 minutes, no water needed.

Roasted chickpeas: rinse, dry well, cook at 390°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Nuts and seeds: toss in oil and salt, air fry at 300°F for 5 to 10 minutes. Frozen dumplings: oil lightly, air fry at 350 to 400°F for 8 to 12 minutes.

Fewer burnt particles, less oil smoke, cleaner kitchen air.

The Verdict: Clean Air Wins On Every Metric

The comparison isn’t close. Not keeping your air clean costs you cognitive health, sleep quality, and money.

The fix is boring and cheap: filters every few months, vents clear, maintenance twice a year, blinds drawn, oven off during peak heat. For cooking, use the air fryer for what it’s good at and skip the wet batter.

Start with the filter. It’s the cheapest insurance you’ll buy this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does air pollution raise dementia risk?

A 2023 systematic review found that for every 2 micrograms per cubic metre increase in annual average PM2.5 exposure, overall dementia risk rises by four per cent.

How often should I maintain my air conditioner?

HVAC technician Kevin Kubacki recommends maintenance twice a year, as seasons change. He also says to change your furnace filter every few months and check the outside unit for debris.

What foods should never go in an air fryer?

Wet-battered foods, uncoated cheese, lightweight greens like spinach and arugula, and popcorn. These either drip, melt, fly around, or cook unevenly in an air fryer.

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Health and Fitness

Billy Joel Health Update: Why He Can’t Perform or Drive

Billy Joel health update reveals he can’t drive or perform due to normal pressure hydrocephalus. Learn the symptoms, treatments, and what to do if you notice them.

Published

2 hours ago

October 16, 2026

Admin

Billy Joel Health Update: Why He Can't Perform or Drive

Billy Joel health update: the 77-year-old singer-songwriter told The Hollywood Reporter he cannot drive and does not know when he will perform again. His neurologist compared each show to a concussion. That is not a metaphor. For anyone living with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) or caring for someone who is, Joel’s story is a practical lesson in listening to your brain, asking for the right tests, and adjusting your life without giving up on it.

What Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal pressure hydrocephalus happens when cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain’s ventricles. The ventricles are the fluid-filled spaces inside your brain. When fluid accumulates, it presses on nearby tissue. The result can be problems with walking, balance, thinking, memory, and bladder control. The Cleveland Clinic lists memory, movement, concentration, and thinking as areas that can be affected. Joel was diagnosed in 2025 after an onstage fall. He later had surgery to implant a shunt, a device that drains excess fluid. He initially refused the procedure, then changed his mind after reading about how it could improve balance and memory. On SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel Channel, he said: “I don’t want to lose my marbles. It’s hard to tell what’s age and what’s a condition, so I agreed to do the shunt, and I had a surgery, and they implanted a shunt in my brain.” He added that the surgery was a success and he had already noticed improvements in brain function.

How To Spot NPH Symptoms Early

Step 1: Watch your walking pattern. NPH often shows up as a slow, shuffling gait. You might feel like your feet are stuck to the floor. This is different from normal aging stiffness because it gets worse over weeks or months, not years.

Step 2: Track balance problems. Joel said, “My balance isn’t that good.” If you suddenly need to hold walls or furniture to steady yourself, write down when it started. A neurologist will want that timeline.

Step 3: Notice memory changes. Forgetting recent conversations or struggling to follow a plot can be a sign. Joel mentioned that it is hard to tell what is age and what is the condition. That confusion is common. Do not dismiss it.

Step 4: Pay attention to hearing and vision. NPH can affect both. Joel said he lost a little bit of his hearing, though he also attributed that to age and rock and roll. If your hearing drops quickly, get it checked.

Step 5: Watch for bladder urgency. This is one of the classic three symptoms of NPH, along with gait problems and dementia-like changes. If you are suddenly racing to the bathroom, mention it to your doctor.

When To See A Doctor

See a neurologist if you have two or more of these symptoms: shuffling walk, balance loss, memory decline, or new bladder urgency. Do not wait for all three. Joel’s neurologist told him that every show is like getting a concussion. That advice came after tests and imaging. You deserve the same level of investigation. Ask for a brain MRI and a referral to a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders or hydrocephalus.

What A Shunt Can Do

A shunt is a thin tube placed in the brain to drain extra fluid. It is not a cure for everyone, but it can improve symptoms. Joel said the surgery helped his balance and memory. He also said he had to take a series of tests before knowing if he could perform again. That is the reality of NPH: recovery is not linear. Some people improve quickly. Others need adjustments to the shunt settings. Research is still ongoing on who benefits most, but the procedure is well established.

Why Concerts Are So Hard On The Brain

Joel explained why performing is off the table for now: “The volume. Rock ‘n’ roll is loud, man. Rock ‘n’ roll made me deaf already. So it’s the lighting, the sound, the stress of the show, the audience, the energy of the performance. There’s a lot going on when you’re onstage.” For a brain that is already sensitive, that sensory overload is dangerous. His neurologist said each show is like a concussion. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. Repeated concussions can cause lasting damage. If your doctor tells you to avoid loud, stressful environments, take it seriously.

Mistakes To Avoid

Do not assume it is just aging. Joel said people worried because “brain disorder” sounds worse than it is. But he also admitted he lost hearing and balance. Downplaying symptoms delays treatment. Do not skip the shunt because you are afraid. Joel initially refused it. After researching, he changed his mind. Do not ignore driving restrictions. Joel said, “I can’t drive right now. I’m not allowed to drive.” He is auctioning over 70 of his motorcycles because he cannot ride safely. That is a hard loss, but it protects him and everyone else on the road.

What You Can Do Today

If you or someone you love has NPH, start a symptom diary. Note walking speed, balance, memory lapses, and bathroom trips. Bring it to your next appointment. Ask about a shunt evaluation. Joel said the surgery helped him. Ask your neurologist what tests you need before returning to any high-stimulation activity. And if you are a performer or athlete, talk to your doctor about concussion risks. Joel wants to perform again. He said, “I would like to be able to do that.” But he is waiting for tests. That patience is not weakness. It is how you protect the brain you still have.

For more details on Joel’s health update, read the full interview at Consequence and Entertainment Weekly. You can also find his comments on balance and hearing at Yahoo Lifestyle.

One final thing: Joel said, “I’m fine.” But fine does not mean ignoring a brain condition. It means getting the tests, following the restrictions, and hoping for a comeback. If you notice a shuffling walk or memory changes in yourself, call a doctor this week. The earlier you act, the more options you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)?

NPH is a brain condition where cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain’s ventricles, causing problems with walking, balance, memory, thinking, and bladder control. Billy Joel was diagnosed with it in 2025.

Why can’t Billy Joel perform or drive?

His neurologist told him that every performance is like getting a concussion due to the loud volume, lighting, stress, and sensory overload. He is also not allowed to drive because of balance and neurological issues.

What should I do if I notice NPH symptoms?

See a neurologist if you have a shuffling walk, balance loss, memory decline, or new bladder urgency. Ask for a brain MRI and a shunt evaluation. Early treatment can improve symptoms.

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Health and Fitness

Malnutrition Cases Surge 18% in Northeast Nigeria: ICRC Alarm

Malnutrition cases surge 18% at ICRC-supported health facilities in northeast Nigeria. Learn what’s driving it and how to protect your family.

Published

5 hours ago

October 16, 2026

Admin

Malnutrition Cases Surge 18% in Northeast Nigeria: ICRC Alarm

Malnutrition admissions at health facilities supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in northeast Nigeria jumped by 18 percent in the first nine months of 2026. Six health centres and four hospitals recorded nearly 20,000 cases between January and September, up from roughly 17,000 in the same period last year. The figures, released in an ICRC statement on October 15, 2026, confirm what many mothers in the region already know: food is harder to find, and children are paying the price.

The sharpest rise happened in Mubi, Adamawa State, where malnutrition cases surge by nearly 24 percent. Admissions there climbed from about 4,600 in the first nine months of 2025 to approximately 5,700 in 2026. Young children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are the worst affected. Their bodies need more nutrients at exactly the moment those nutrients are hardest to come by.

What Is Driving The Numbers Up

Three forces are working together. First, prolonged armed conflict has disrupted farming and market access across the northeast. Second, climate-related shocks have damaged crops and reduced yields. Third, economic hardship has cut household purchasing power, so families that once bought food now cannot afford it.

The conflict also limits how far farmers can safely travel. Saminu Samiyu Ijaduwa, a farmer, told the ICRC that explosive devices had forced him to farm only a small plot near his home. “Due to the conflict, going one kilometre out of town to farm could be highly risky,” he said. “You might not return!” That single constraint ripples through entire communities. Less land cultivated means less food harvested, higher prices at the market, and smaller portions at home.

At the Mubi Stabilization Centre, mothers bring their children for nutritional assessments and supplementary food. Zulaihatu Mohammed arrived with her six-month-old twin, Huseina. “When I gave birth to them, this one was tiny,” she said. The child had been unwell since birth. Her story is not unusual.

What The ICRC And Nigerian Red Cross Are Doing

Working with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the ICRC supports 15 primary healthcare centres and four hospitals. It also assists more than 200 communities with malnutrition treatment and food-security initiatives.

The interventions go beyond emergency feeding. Farmers receive crop varieties suited to drought and flooding. Communities are encouraged to diversify what they plant. Mothers are trained to prepare nutritious meals from ingredients already available in their markets and farms.

One of the most practical tools is Tom Brown, a locally prepared nutritional blend made from sorghum, millet, soybeans, groundnuts and moringa. It is not a imported product or a expensive supplement. It is food that families can make themselves, using grains and legumes sold in almost every northern market. According to the ICRC, this intervention has helped more than 13,000 young children recover from moderate acute malnutrition. The training component matters as much as the food itself, because mothers can continue preparing the mixture at home long after the programme ends.

Why These Five Ingredients Matter

Sorghum and millet provide energy and are naturally drought-tolerant, which matters in a region where rainfall is unpredictable. Soybeans and groundnuts supply protein and healthy fats, the building blocks a growing child needs. Moringa leaves add vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A and iron, at almost no cost because the tree grows widely across northern Nigeria.

When these ingredients are combined correctly and cooked into a smooth blend, they create a nutrient-dense porridge that a young child can eat several times a day. It is not a replacement for breast milk in infants under six months. But for children over six months, and for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, it is a realistic way to add protein, energy and micronutrients to the daily diet.

How To Prepare Tom Brown At Home

You do not need special equipment. Toast equal parts sorghum, millet, soybeans and groundnuts separately in a dry pan until fragrant. Allow them to cool, then mill them together into a fine flour. Add dried moringa leaf powder at the end, roughly one handful for every four cups of flour. Store the blend in a clean, dry container.

To cook, mix a few tablespoons of the flour with a little cold water to form a paste. Stir the paste into boiling water and cook for five to ten minutes until it thickens. Let it cool before feeding a child. You can add a small amount of palm oil or groundnut oil for extra energy. For babies just starting solids, keep the porridge thin. For older children, make it thicker.

Who Should Be Careful

Tom Brown is a food, not a medicine. A child with severe acute malnutrition, visible wasting, swelling of the feet or face, or refusal to eat needs urgent care at a health facility. Do not try to treat severe malnutrition at home. The same applies to pregnant women who are losing weight or feeling weak. They should be assessed by a health worker.

Some children may be allergic to groundnuts or soybeans. Introduce the blend gradually and watch for rashes, vomiting or difficulty breathing. If any of these occur, stop and seek medical help.

What The Wider Picture Shows

The ICRC figures arrive against a worsening national outlook. United Nations analysis cited by the organisation estimates that more than 34 million people in Nigeria will face insufficient food access in 2026, the highest figure in six years. The same analysis lists Nigeria among the world’s hunger hotspots of highest concern, alongside Sudan, Yemen, Somalia and Gaza. Roughly 15 years of conflict in the northeast, combined with economic pressures and climate disruptions, have created conditions that no single programme can reverse quickly.

That is why the ICRC says its work aims not only to treat malnutrition but to strengthen community resilience. Treating a child today matters. Helping a family grow and prepare nutritious food tomorrow matters just as much.

Adding Tom Brown To A Nigerian Meal Plan

If you live in a region where these ingredients are affordable, consider making a batch of Tom Brown once a week. Serve it as breakfast or as an evening supplement for young children and nursing mothers. Pair it with whatever protein and vegetables your household can access that day. The goal is not perfection. The goal is one more nutrient-dense meal in a week that may not have many.

For families in northeast Nigeria, the next few months will test that goal. The malnutrition cases surge is not a distant statistic. It is a six-month-old twin in Mubi, a farmer confined to a small plot, and a mother learning to cook with what she has. If you are in a position to help, support organisations working on the ground. If you are feeding a child, start with what is in your kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tom Brown and how is it used for malnutrition?

Tom Brown is a locally prepared nutritional blend made from sorghum, millet, soybeans, groundnuts and moringa. It is cooked into a porridge and given to young children and mothers to add protein, energy and micronutrients. According to the ICRC, it has helped more than 13,000 young children recover from moderate acute malnutrition.

How much did malnutrition cases rise in northeast Nigeria in 2026?

Admissions at ICRC-supported health facilities rose by 18 percent in the first nine months of 2026, from about 17,000 cases in 2025 to nearly 20,000. In Mubi, Adamawa State, the increase was nearly 24 percent.

Can I treat severe malnutrition at home with Tom Brown?

No. Tom Brown is a food, not a treatment for severe acute malnutrition. A child with visible wasting, swelling of the feet or face, or refusal to eat needs urgent care at a health facility. Severe malnutrition requires professional medical treatment.

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Health and Fitness

Athleticism Is the New Fitness Flex: Train to Move

Athleticism is the new fitness flex. Learn how to train speed, power, and mobility with simple drills, gear, and a Nigerian meal plan.

Published

6 hours ago

October 16, 2026

Admin

Athleticism Is the New Fitness Flex: Train to Move

Athleticism is the new fitness flex, and it is less about how you look and more about what your body can do.

For years, the gym goal was simple: build a body that looks the part. But according to reporting from Yahoo Lifestyle, that bar has moved. With social media feeds packed with washboard abs and GLP-1-assisted weight loss, looking fit no longer proves you put in the work. What stands out now is speed, power, agility, and coordination. Guys want to sprint faster, jump higher, and move explosively, often for no other reason than the joy of moving well.

This shift is not just a trend. It is a practical way to train that can serve you for decades, whether you are 25 or 45.

What Athleticism Actually Means

Athleticism is the ability to combine physical qualities like strength, speed, power, agility, and coordination, and then use them when it matters. That definition comes from performance coach DeVentri Jordan, founder of GameFace Training, who works with NFL and NBA prospects.

Jordan told Yahoo that many guys now ask a different question: not just how their body looks, but what it can actually do. That is a big change from the old bodybuilding-first mindset.

Examples are everywhere. Biohacking entrepreneur Bryan Johnson is training to dunk. Six-time Mr. Olympia Classic Physique champion Chris Bumstead, after retiring from bodybuilding, now posts videos of 60-inch box jumps and treadmill sprints. Fitness creator Dylan Shannon, who is built like a powerlifter, regularly posts bounding drills and max-effort sprints, and his audience has grown because people see they can be both jacked and athletic.

But Jordan warns that what looks athletic on social media is not always useful. A flashy ladder drill or a complex five-movement combo may impress, but it skips the boring work real athletes do, like assessing ankle mobility or measuring force production. If your goal is to become more athletic, Jordan’s first question is: what do you want to be able to do? Maybe you want to chase your kid without gasping, or stay on your feet as you age. That answer should shape your training.

How to Train for Athleticism (No Matter Your Age)

You do not need a college sports background to start. The key is to build a base, then add athletic qualities gradually.

Start with strength. Two or three full-body sessions per week using squats, hinges, pushes, pulls, and carries. This builds the foundation for power.

Add speed and power work twice a week. Sprints of 10 to 20 meters, box jumps, broad jumps, and medicine ball throws are simple options. Keep volume low and quality high. For example, 4 to 6 sets of 3 to 5 reps with full rest.

Do mobility work daily. Hyrox athletes often discover they lack the squat depth for wall balls, so they start taking mobility seriously. Five to ten minutes of ankle, hip, and thoracic work can unlock better movement.

Use measurable goals. The rise of competitions like Hyrox, Apex Athlete, and Life Time Games has given everyday gym-goers a reason to train athletic skills. Apex Athlete, for instance, blends a 40-yard dash, vertical jump, trap-bar deadlift, and other NFL combine-style tests. You do not need to enter a competition, but having a target like a two- to three-second box jump or a faster 40-yard dash can keep you motivated.

The Gear That Supports Athletic Training

You do not need much, but the right gear can help. Men’s Health has tested hundreds of pieces, and their picks focus on breathability, moisture-wicking, and stretch. For athletic movement, look for shorts that do not restrict your stride, like the Ten Thousand Interval shorts, which are available in lined or unlined versions and three lengths. A breathable tank like the Lululemon Metal Vent Tech singlet offers full range of motion for pull-ups and kettlebell swings.

A weighted vest can add stimulus to walks, squats, and push-ups. The Aion vest, recognized in the 2025 Men’s Health Fitness Awards, integrates compression and heat capture to increase cardiovascular demand and muscular engagement. It is not magic, but it is a tool.

For footwear, a versatile cross-training shoe like the Nike Free Metcon 7 handles lifting, conditioning, and short runs. Just know its limits: it is not built for max-effort barbell lifts or rope climbs.

Recovery matters too. Brands like Ammortal offer chambers with red light, PEMF, vibroacoustic therapy, and more, but these are expensive and not essential. Sleep, protein, and hydration are your first recovery tools.

Who Should Be Careful

If you have joint issues, heart conditions, or have been sedentary for years, get clearance from a doctor before starting sprinting or jumping. Athleticism training is scalable, but it still loads your joints and muscles. A physiotherapist or certified trainer can help you modify.

Also, be skeptical of anyone selling peptides or performance-enhancing drugs online. The Enhanced Games, a controversial event, has emphasized that enhancement should only happen under medical supervision and is not for teenagers or self-experimentation. In Nigeria, where unregulated supplements are common, stick to proven methods: training, food, and rest.

A Simple Nigerian Meal Plan for Athletic Training

You do not need imported superfoods. Build your plate around local staples.

Breakfast: Two boiled eggs, one cup of pap (akamu) with a scoop of groundnut powder, and a banana. This gives protein, carbs, and healthy fats.

Lunch: One cup of brown rice or eba with two pieces of grilled fish or chicken, one cup of efo riro (spinach stew), and a small piece of boiled plantain. Add a glass of water.

Pre-workout snack: A handful of groundnuts and one orange, or a small bowl of garden egg and groundnut paste.

Post-workout: One cup of unsweetened yoghurt with sliced banana and a tablespoon of honey, or a bowl of beans porridge with one boiled egg.

Dinner: One cup of wheat or ofada rice with grilled chicken, steamed ugu (fluted pumpkin leaves), and a side of cucumber and tomato salad. Drink water.

Hydration: Aim for 2.5 to 3 litres of water daily, more on training days. If you sweat heavily, add a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime to one bottle.

Supplements: If you can afford it, a basic whey protein powder can help you hit protein targets, but it is not required. Aim for 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight from food first.

Start Today

Athleticism is the new fitness flex, but it is also a practical investment in your future. You do not need to be an athlete to start. Begin at your own level, progress gradually, and make fitness part of your lifestyle. As bodybuilding coach Ambaji Bodekar told the Indian Express, your 40s are not a deadline for fitness; they are a new beginning. You may not turn back the clock, but you can change how strong, energetic, and confident you feel. Pick one athletic quality, train it twice a week, and eat to support it. That is how you build a body that moves as good as it looks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is athleticism training?

Athleticism training combines strength, speed, power, agility, and coordination to improve how you move, not just how you look. It includes drills like sprints, jumps, and mobility work.

Do I need a gym to train athleticism?

No. You can start with bodyweight squats, lunges, push-ups, and short sprints outdoors. A park or open space is enough for jumps and bounds.

Is athleticism training safe for people over 40?

Yes, with proper progression. Start with mobility and strength, then add low-impact power work like box jumps to a low box. Get medical clearance if you have joint or heart conditions.