I can’t wait for my physical strength to decline old age.
A new study followed the same people for almost half a century and found that a visible decline in fitness and strength begins around age 35 and continues gradually into middle age.
The study is based on the Swedish Physical Activity and Fitness cohort, which began in 1971 with participants born in 1958. According to a press release, the researchers enrolled 427 people of mixed gender and tested the same individuals repeatedly over a 47-year period.
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The model was used to estimate age- and sex-specific changes in the original cohort over time. study period.
The follow-up tests will be conducted at multiple time points in adulthood, allowing Karolinska Institutet researchers to look at changes within individuals, rather than relying on comparisons between different age groups, the release states.
In each trial, participants took a standardized test physical examination Performed by trained professionals. Aerobic fitness was measured using a test that assesses peak oxygen uptake, a common indicator of cardiovascular capacity.
Muscle strength and muscular endurance were assessed through controlled performance tests such as grip strength and repetitive motor tasks. Height, weight, and other basic body measurements were also recorded, and participants provided information about their bodies. physical activity habits.
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By using the same test over a long period of time, researchers were able to track long-term trends in physical performance.
They found that physical performance peaks in early adulthood and begins to decline around the mid-30s.
This decrease was observed across multiple metrics including: aerobic fitness The researchers shared that muscle strength gains continued steadily into adulthood and beyond.
Although physically active people tended to maintain higher overall fitness levels, activity did not completely protect against age-related decline.
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Still, the data show that participants activity level Later in life, physical performance improved by approximately 5% to 10%. This shows that your body remains responsive to exercise even after your peak years.
The study, published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, consisted of individuals born in the same year and living in Sweden.
This may limit how the findings can be applied to other populations with different social, environmental, or environmental conditions. genetic backgroundacknowledged the researchers.
As with any longitudinal study, some participants may drop out over time, potentially affecting how well the sample reflects the original population.
Also, because physical performance is measured at specific intervals, short-term fluctuations between test periods are not captured.
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Furthermore, although physical activity was associated with better outcomes, the observational nature of the study means other factors such as diet, occupation, and diet. health condition Researchers said that may have also influenced the results.
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The research team plans to continue to follow the cohort as the participants age, with the aim of linking changes in physical performance to later health outcomes.
