Go ahead: Talk yourself up, say professional trainer and researchers. In a test of vertical-leaping ability, people who said “bend and drive” out loud jumped higher than when they didn’t give themselves an instructional talk. The researchers say verbalizing the action may influence your brain’s cerebral cortex to activate more muscle fibers. As for those muscles, do box jumps: Squat, jump onto an 18- to 24-inch box, and then step down. Complete 3 sets of 5 reps, resting 3 minutes between sets.

Presbycusis (old-age deafness) happens when your sensitive inner-ear hairs stop sending messages to your brain.

Prevention

A diet high in antioxidants can have a protective effect on long term hearing. So eat seedy fruit like pomegranate. Better for your ears than seedy nightclubs.

Don’t wait until you’re in a nursing home to eat prunes. Eat up now-a chemical in dried plums may keep your arteries clear. Scientists and nutritionist found that mice that consumed prune powder had less plaque in their arteries than mice on a prune-free diet. The mechanism isn’t yet identified but certain flavonoids in the fruit may help prevent the inflammation that can damage blood vessels. More studies will determine if the fruit has the same effect in humans.

Loop a towel over a pull-up bar and hold both ends with your right hand.

Grasp the bar with your left hand using an underhand grip so your arm is extended. Now pull yourself up with both hands. The separation between hands challenges your higher arm, so do 8 to 10 reps and then switch arms. If you’re having trouble, perform regular pull-up until you’ve worked up to this one.