Health
Here’s the age when strength and fitness begin fading, long-term data shows
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Physical decline does not wait for old age.
A new study tracked the same people for nearly half a century, finding that measurable drops in fitness and strength begin at around age 35 and continue gradually through midlife.
The study is based on the Swedish “Physical Activity and Fitness” cohort, which began in 1971 with participants born in 1958. Researchers enrolled 427 people, a mix of men and women, and tested the same individuals repeatedly over a 47-year span, according to a press release.
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Models were used to estimate age- and sex-specific changes in the original cohort during the study period.
The follow-up examinations took place at several points across adulthood, allowing the Karolinska Institutet researchers to observe changes within individuals rather than relying on comparisons between different age groups, the release stated.
Researchers followed the same individuals for nearly 50 years, allowing them to track real changes within people as they aged. (iStock)
At each examination, participants underwent standardized physical testing conducted by trained professionals. Aerobic fitness was measured using tests that assessed peak oxygen uptake, a common indicator of cardiovascular capacity.
Muscle strength and muscular endurance were evaluated through controlled performance tests, including grip strength and repetitive movement tasks. Height, weight and other basic physical measures were also recorded, and participants provided information about their physical activity habits.
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By using the same tests over time, the researchers were able to track long-term trends in physical performance.
Physical performance peaked in early adulthood and then declined gradually across multiple measures, including aerobic fitness and muscle strength. (iStock)
The results showed that physical performance peaks in early adulthood and begins to decline around the mid-30s.
This decline was observed across multiple measures, including aerobic fitness and muscle strength, and continued steadily into later adulthood, the researchers shared.
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While individuals who were physically active tended to retain higher overall fitness levels, activity did not completely prevent age-related decline.
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Even so, the data showed that participants who increased their activity levels later in life improved their physical capacity by roughly 5% to 10%, demonstrating that the body remains responsive to exercise beyond peak years.
Study limitations
The study, which was published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, consisted of individuals who were born in the same year and were living in Sweden.
This may limit how the findings apply to other populations with different social, environmental or genetic backgrounds, the researchers acknowledged.
The data showed that participants who increased their activity levels later in life improved their physical capacity by roughly 5% to 10%. (iStock)
As with any long-term study, some participants dropped out over time, which could affect how well the sample reflects the original population.
Also, physical performance was measured at specific intervals, so short-term fluctuations between testing periods were not captured.
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In addition, while physical activity was associated with better outcomes, the observational nature of the study means other factors such as diet, occupation or health conditions may also have influenced results, the researchers stated.
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The team plans to continue following the cohort as the participants grow older, with the goal of linking changes in physical capacity to health outcomes later in life.
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A simple lifestyle adjustment could potentially slow down the body’s biological aging process, according to new research.
The study, published in the journal Aging, investigated how a diet change and easy exercise regimen affected men between the ages of 50 and 74 over a three-month period.
Researchers designed a clinical trial involving 48 overweight men in Japan. Over a 12-week period, half of the participants followed a strictly structured wellness routine, while the other half maintained their usual habits.
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For the intervention group, the routine required consuming 100 grams of plain yogurt every day.
This group also received individualized dietary counseling that advised them to curb overeating, avoid excessive snacking and cut out sugary drinks.
A simple lifestyle adjustment could potentially slow down the body’s biological aging process, according to new research. (iStock)
They were also instructed to walk or use a stepper machine for roughly 30 minutes a day, at least three days each week.
To measure the impact of these changes, the scientists collected blood samples from all participants before and after the study, and also analyzed DNA for chemical changes that act as indicators of cellular age.
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Specifically, they used a measurement tool called DunedinPACE. Rather than assessing a person’s chronological age in years, this tool calculates the precise rate at which an individual’s body is currently aging.
The men who consumed the probiotic yogurt, adjusted their diets and exercised showed a statistically significant reduction in their pace of aging compared to the control group, the researchers said.
The anti-aging benefits cannot be attributed to any single component on its own due to the variety in the study, the researchers noted. (iStock)
On average, the speed of their biological aging slowed by approximately 2.2%. This reduction is roughly comparable to the slowing of biological aging observed in a previous two-year U.S. study, in which participants reduced their daily calorie intake by 25%.
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This reduction in aging speed happened independently of weight loss , meaning it did not directly correlate with changes in the participants’ body mass index or the exact number of exercise sessions they logged.
The researchers also recorded a noticeable improvement in a specific DNA marker that is linked to kidney function.
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Because this study combined three distinct factors — probiotics, diet and exercise — the authors concluded that the anti-aging benefits cannot be attributed to any single component. Instead, the slowed aging rate appears to be the result of a combined effect.
The reduction in aging speed happened independently of weight loss, the study found. (iStock)
The researchers also acknowledged clear limitations of the study, including its small sample size and short duration. Also, the participant pool was restricted to overweight men of a single nationality.
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More research is needed to determine whether these short-term biological shifts can translate into permanent, long-term health benefits, the study stated.
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The simple act of noting how fast your heart is beating while you’re at rest may be the key to measuring your overall health.
Resting heart rate is defined by Mayo Clinic as the number of times your heart beats each minute while you’re awake, calm and not moving.
A normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults. A slower resting heart rate means the heart does not have the work as heard to pump blood through the body — something typical of someone who is more fit.
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Athletes who are very fit may have a resting heart rate closer to 40 beats per minute, according to Mayo Clinic.
Your resting heart rate can vary due to a variety of factors, including age, physical activity levels, sleep health, smoking, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, stress, anxiety, hormones, body type and certain medications.
A normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults, according to medical experts. (iStock)
But a resting heart rate that’s often too high or too low may signal a health issue.
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A high resting heart rate, even if it’s slight, is usually a sign that something else may be going on in the body, such as anemia, an infection or a thyroid problem, according to Cleveland Clinic.
A high resting heart rate, even if it’s slight, is usually a sign that something else may be going on in the body. (iStock)
If your heart rate is regularly above 100 beats per minute, this is a sign to talk with your heart care provider.
The same advice applies if you are not a trained athlete and your resting heart rate is frequently below 60 beats per minute.
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Talk to your doctor if other symptoms such as fainting, dizziness or shortness of breath occur.
How to measure your heart rate
You can check your own heart rate by tracking your pulse on your wrist or neck. The best time of day to measure resting heart rate is first thing in the morning, says Mayo Clinic.
Place your index and middle fingers inside the wrist below the thumb, to feel the radial artery; or, do so on the side of the neck, to feel the carotid artery.
Place your index and middle fingers on the side of the neck, to feel the carotid artery — and count how many beats per minute. (iStock)
Count the number of times your pulse beats in 15 seconds, then multiply this number by four to calculate beats per minute.
Wearable devices can also detect and track resting heart rate, although this may not always be accurate.
How to lower your heart rate
If your resting heart rate is higher than normal, there are a few ways to work toward lowering it.
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Vigorous exercise is “the best way” to lower your resting heart rate and increase the heart’s aerobic capacity and max heart rate, according to Harvard.
For those who don’t exercise regularly, it’s important to work your way up in difficulty when following a new workout routine.
Vigorous exercise is “the best way” to lower your resting heart rate, Harvard Health says. But it’s vital to work your way up carefully. (iStock)
Some medications, such as beta blockers, can also lower heart rate. In the same way, managing stress through holistic methods such as meditation or yoga can also help.
Cleveland Clinic also recommends cutting back on harmful substances such as drugs and alcohol, which can dehydrate you and raise your heart rate.
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Adequate sleep can also help bring your heart rate down, in addition to maintaining a healthy weight.
Cardiologist Tamanna Singh, M.D., shared with Cleveland Clinic that lowering your heart rate takes time as various lifestyle changes kick in.
Managing stress through holistic methods such as meditation or yoga can help lower your resting heart rate,
“Just like building your biceps and triceps, it takes time for your heart to become stronger,” the doctor said.
Singh recommended focusing on heart rate patterns rather than dialing in on just the number.
Take note of how your heart rate changes after eating certain foods, when you’re dehydrated or after you’ve begun a new exercise or stress management routine.
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“If you notice that your heart rate is consistently over 100, mention it to your doctor, especially if you’ve tried making lifestyle changes and they don’t seem to be working,” she said.
“Your resting heart rate isn’t the be-all, end-all of your health, but it’s definitely a marker that you should pay attention to.”
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