Researchers at King’s College London have published a report claiming that active people in their 70s are as likely to be as fit as those in their 50s.
The study of older cyclists found that age does not necessarily bring ill health and infirmity provided you continue to exercise and there was little physical difference between 79 year olds and 55 year olds.
Professor Stephen Harridge said “By exercising you do what your body wants it to do and are allowing to age optimally. So it is not ageing itself which brings about poor function and frailty, but the fact that people have stopped exercising and are no longer active.”
The male and female participants had to be able to cycle 100km in under 6.5 hours and 60km in 5.5 hours respectively and then underwent two days of laboratory testing which measured cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, endocrine and cognitive functions, bone strength, and health and well-being.
The results showed that amongst the participants the effects of ageing were not obvious with people across the age range having similar muscle strength, lung power and exercise capacity.
Another test measured the time taken to stand up from sitting on a chair, walk 3 metres and return to the chair and sit down and even the oldest cyclists were well within the range of healthy young adults.
The researchers believe that other forms of aerobic activity would produce similar results with Emeritus Professor Norman Lazarus saying: “Inevitably, our bodies will experience some decline with age, but staying physically active can buy you extra years of function compared to sedentary people”.
He advocated cycling as an exercise that not only keeps you mentally alert but requires vigorous use of muscles, heart and lungs which help to maintain health and reduce the risk associated with numerous diseases.
Other aerobic exercise includes fitness classes, walking, jogging, swimming and water aerobics and gym exercises.
