TL;DR
A Nov. 13 New York Times report asked physical therapy and rehabilitation experts which muscles adults should prioritize as they age. The available excerpt identifies the glutes as a leading focus because they support walking, balance recovery and everyday movements; it does not provide the full list of five muscle groups or detailed exercise guidance.
The New York Times published a report on Nov. 13, 2026, asking physical therapy and rehabilitation experts which muscles people should prioritize as they age. The available excerpt identifies the gluteal muscles as a leading focus, citing their role in walking, balance recovery and everyday tasks such as climbing stairs.
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The report frames strength training as a way to help maintain strength and mobility as age-related changes can make movement more difficult. It notes that the body has more than 600 muscles and says the newspaper asked rehabilitation specialists which areas deserve particular attention.
Odessa Addison, a professor of physical therapy and rehabilitation science at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said she prioritizes the glutes from the perspective of fall prevention. The excerpt explains that these muscles help keep the pelvis level during walking and contribute to recovering balance after a stumble, especially when a person needs to step sideways.
The report names the gluteus maximus as the largest gluteal muscle and mentions squats and dead lifts as familiar exercises that target it. The supplied article excerpt ends before the other muscle groups or further recommendations appear, so it does not establish a complete list of five muscles or a training plan.
How Glutes Support Everyday Movement
The muscles emphasized in the excerpt relate directly to routine activities, not only athletic performance. According to the report, the glutes help with walking, stair climbing and balance recovery. These functions can matter to people seeking to maintain independence and move safely as they age.
The fall-prevention rationale is attributed to Addison, rather than presented as a guarantee that strengthening the glutes prevents falls. The excerpt offers a practical focus for readers but does not quantify how much training changes fall risk, nor does it compare glute exercises with other approaches to mobility.
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The Report’s Strength-Training Focus
The article opens with the observation that muscles can weaken and tendons can tighten over time, potentially making familiar movements harder. It presents weight training as one way to maintain strength and mobility, then asks experts to identify priority muscle groups among the body’s many muscles.
The report’s stated focus is advice from physical therapy and rehabilitation experts. The available material contains only the opening section, titled “Butt Muscles and Quads,” and the start of its discussion of glutes. It does not include enough text to confirm what the article says about quadriceps or the remaining groups suggested by its headline.
““I come at this as a physical therapist and somebody who specializes in fall prevention, so that’s what I’m thinking about.””
— Odessa Addison, professor of physical therapy and rehabilitation science at the University of Maryland School of Medicine
The Other Four Muscle Groups
The supplied source excerpt does not show the full report, so the identities of all five muscle groups cannot be confirmed from the available material. Although the visible section heading mentions butt muscles and quads, the excerpt only develops the discussion of glutes; it does not provide the full quadriceps guidance or the other recommendations.
The material also gives no specific exercise schedule, repetitions, weights, or advice for people with injuries or health conditions. Readers should not treat the excerpt as individualized training guidance. The full report’s recommendations and their supporting evidence are not available in the supplied text.
Full Recommendations Awaited
The next step for a complete account is access to the full New York Times report, which may provide the remaining muscle groups and expert recommendations. Until that material is available, only the excerpt’s discussion of glutes and mobility can be reported with confidence.
Anyone considering a new strength-training routine can seek guidance from a qualified health or exercise professional, particularly if they have pain, a medical condition or concerns about balance. The supplied report does not specify a standard program or say what approach is appropriate for each individual.
Key Questions
Which muscle group does the available report excerpt prioritize?
The excerpt highlights the gluteal muscles, saying experts considered them especially important for everyday movement and balance recovery.
Why does the report focus on the glutes?
It says the glutes help keep the pelvis level while walking and help a person recover balance after a stumble, including when stepping sideways.
Does the supplied material identify all five muscle groups?
No. The available excerpt develops the discussion of glutes but does not show the full list promised by the headline. Its visible section heading also mentions quads, without providing the full discussion.
Which exercises does the excerpt mention?
It names squats and dead lifts as familiar movements that target the gluteus maximus. It does not give sets, repetitions, or a personalized program.
Source: nytimes.com
