It's inevitable. Right?
But it is not actually the case if we exercise regularly.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham and King's College London have found that staying active keeps the body young and healthy.
The study, published in the journal Aging Cell, involved 125 healthy cyclists of both genders, between the ages of 55 and 79,84 of which were male and 41 were female. They underwent physical testing to obtain a range of health data, whose results were then compared to those from two other healthy groups – aged 20 to 36, and 57 to 80, totaling 130 people in all – who were not physically active. Those in poor health, or adults who drank heavily, smoked or had high blood pressure, were kept from participating.
The findings showed that loss of muscle mass and strength did not occur in those who exercise regularly. The cyclists also did not increase their body fat or cholesterol levels with age
The anti-ageing effects of cycling appeared to extend to the immune system. An organ called the thymus, which makes immune cells called T-cells, normally starts to shrink from the age of 20. But the thymuses of older cyclists were found to be generating as many T-cells as those of young individuals.
Prof Janet Lord, director of the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham, said: “Our findings debunk the assumption that ageing automatically makes us more frail.”
Professor Chris Oliver, the so-called “cycling surgeon” from the University of Edinburgh, said: “I’m pleased to see this study that supports cycling as holding back the effects of ageing and boosting the immune system.
“It just shows what cycling can do for your positive health and well-being.
“This adds to our current knowledge on the effects of physical activity which has been shown to delay the ageing of chromosomes.
So, just get out there and cycle.