Young's medical career began with house officer position, leading him to Oxford in 1973 where he specialized in
rheumatology and rehabilitation. His interest in
geriatrics grew during this period, influenced by his correspondence with
Jerry Morris, a leading researcher in social medicine. In the early 1980s, Archie Young worked as a doctor in a rehabilitation unit in Oxford, where he introduced ultrasound imaging to physiotherapy. By 1985, he had advanced to the roles of consultant, professor, and head of
geriatric medicine at the
Royal Free Hospital in London. During his tenure there, he was instrumental in establishing Queen Mary's, a rehabilitation facility for the elderly. Young's research in Oxford and London involved experiments with elderly volunteers, focusing on the measurement of quadriceps strength and the impact of resistance exercises. His notable 1986 publication,
Exercise Physiology in Geriatric Practice, presented findings that elderly individuals could increase strength, reduce frailty, and delay the onset of dependence. He described this delay as "the functional threshold," positing that regular exercise could enhance strength and aerobic capacity by 10 to 20%, thereby postponing declines in functional abilities by 10 to 20 years. Later, he became an advocate for the benefits of exercise for the elderly, contributing to the field through both research and lectures. Young was also active as a sportsperson, participated in
rugby union,
triathlons, and
mountaineering. He retired in 2007. ==References==