In the heart of Manhattan, Robert Profusek is redefining what it means to age well. Rising at 4 a.m. every weekday, this high-powered lawyer and former football player has made physical fitness a cornerstone of his daily life.
Profusek, who grew up in Ohio and credits sports for his educational opportunities, maintains a rigorous exercise regimen to complement his legal career. “Sports were the ticket for me to get out of the cow town I grew up in,” he shared with Business Insider, surrounded by piles of legal work in his office.
At 76, Profusek’s workout routine includes treadmill runs, stationary biking, elliptical pedaling, and weight training. “I like the comfort of being regimented,” he said. Recently, he took part in a pioneering clinical trial aimed at improving healthy aging through exercise and inexpensive medications.
Trial Tests Exercise and Medication for Longevity
The NYC-Vita study, led by researchers at Mount Sinai in New York City, explores whether simple exercises combined with a daily supplement and a low-dose anti-inflammatory drug can enhance longevity. Profusek adopted a new 20-minute daily fitness routine as part of the trial. “If there is a way to extend not your youth, but your wellness,” he remarked, “that’s a really pretty cool thing.”
This exercise protocol, which is part of the global XPRIZE Healthspan competition, involves 160 minutes of activity per week, or about 22 minutes a day. Profusek appreciates the simplicity and efficiency of the program.
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Exercise Routine Highlights
Profusek’s new routine includes high-intensity interval training (HIIT), featuring exercises like jumping jacks and squats with brief rest periods. “When I’m done with this, I’m kind of pooped,” he said, noting the intensity of the workout.
On alternate days, participants use resistance bands to build strength through exercises that rely on body weight and rubber resistance.
Incorporating Supplements and Medication
Alongside the exercise regimen, participants take a daily supplement called spermidine, believed to aid in recovery and muscle building. Once a week, they take a low-dose rapamycin, an anti-inflammatory drug thought to potentially enhance longevity.
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Dr. Thomas Marron, the lead investigator of the study, emphasizes the role of exercise in the intervention but also considers the potential impact of the supplements and medication. “We want to really see: Are these things working? And what exactly are they doing in the body?” he stated.
Profusek’s Results and Future Outlook
Profusek reports feeling great, with fewer aches and faster reflexes since starting the program. He continues to incorporate his familiar exercises, but the trial’s routine is now the centerpiece of his fitness regimen. He has made significant progress, doubling his jumping jack count in six months.
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While it’s unclear whether the benefits come from exercise, medication, or supplements, Profusek enjoys the improvements and plans to continue the routine. “What makes this attractive is that it’s not so disruptive,” he said. “You can fit your life around it like nothing.”
