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One study found that physically fit retirees had muscles almost identical to those of 25-year-olds.
Experts from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, have studied 28 people over 70 who have been exercising since the 1970s to determine how active staying can offset the decline physical associated with aging.
The findings, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, also revealed that those who train regularly shave 30 years of the "biological" age of their body compared to their peers.
It is interesting to note that the subjects were not athletes, but people who adopted fitness in their lifestyle during the exercise boom in the 1970s.
"We were very interested in people who had started to exercise during the booming 1970s of running and exercising," said Scott Trappe, a professor of science and technology. Exercise and lead author of the study.
"They started to exercise as a hobby".
Using social media, researchers found that 28 people maintained this level of activity for five decades.
They also recruited two other groups: inactive people 70 years old and fit for 20 years.
Scientists tested participants' aerobic capacities and measured the number of capillaries and enzymes in their muscles – the high levels of which show muscle health.
It is interesting to note that the muscles of older athletes corresponded to those of 20 year olds.
Similarly, they had many more capillaries and enzymes in their muscles than inactive retirees – which meant they had effectively avoided the physical impact of old age.
In fact, the only difference between the two active groups – young and old – was a slightly reduced aerobic potential.
But, for fit retirees, he was still 40% higher than their sedentary peers.
Moreover, when the data were compared to national averages of different ages, active retirees had the cardiovascular health of 30-year-olds.
The results suggest that the aging of the population could "constitute a reserve" of good health, the researchers said.
"These people were so dynamic," said Professor Trappe.
"I'm in my fifties and they certainly inspire me to stay active."
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