The secret to stay healthy at old age is that people who exercised regularly as youth has showed much healthier muscles at the cellular level in old age. A new research suggests that the ‘secret’ to staying strong as we age is superb fitness — that can be achieved by regular exercise. The study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology has compared world-class track and field athletes in their 80s, with people of the same age who are living independently.

“One of the most unique and novel aspects of this study is the exceptional participants,” said researcher Geoff Power, professor at University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. “These are individuals in their 80s and 90s who actively compete in world masters track and field championships. We have seven world champions. These individuals are the creme de la creme of ageing,” Power noted.

The study revealed that athletes’ legs were 25 percent stronger on average and had about 14 percent more total muscle mass. More motor units consisting of nerve and muscle fibres mean more muscle mass and subsequently greater strength.

During normal ageing, the nervous system lose motor neurons, leading to a loss of motor units, reduced muscle mass, less strength, speed and power. That process speeds up substantially past age 60.

“Therefore, identifying opportunities to intervene and delay the loss of motor units in old age is of critical importance,” Power said.

By Premji