Completely agree. I'm "late middle age", and while I lift weights regularly, including squats and deadlifts, I am otherwise pretty sedentary and I don't get a lot of "functional" fitness (e.g. sports).

Recently I decided to find a new hobby and started playing the violin. It was a wakeup call that after just a half hour standing playing the violin with my instructor that my back would basically seize up. It was quite embarrassing! Good thing is I got used to it pretty quick, and thanks to violin practice I stand much more than I used to (and plus I added more back and stretching exercises to my workout). As you say, it really takes a minimal amount to improve your strength.