Foto: BB.LV / Исследование
It turns out that the body begins to gradually lose strength and endurance after the age of 35 — even among those who regularly engage in sports. This conclusion was reached by scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, who observed changes in human physical capabilities over 47 years. The results of the study were published on the scientific portal ScienceDaily. The study involved 427 men and women born in 1958. Observations began when the participants were 16 years old and continued until they reached the age of 63. Unlike many other studies that compare the physical condition of young and elderly people, Swedish specialists tracked the same participants for decades. This allowed them to see how the body's capabilities change with age. **When is a person at their peak condition?** Researchers assessed several key indicators: aerobic endurance, muscular endurance, and muscular strength. It was found that the best indicators of aerobic fitness and muscular endurance in most people occur between the ages of 26 and 36. After this, a gradual decline begins. Moreover, some physical abilities, such as explosive muscular strength necessary for jumps and sudden movements, peak even earlier. Scientists established that from around the age of 35, the decline in physical capabilities becomes a noticeable trend, and this process accelerates with age. **How much strength do we lose over the years?** The results were quite revealing. By the age of 63, the physical indicators of the study participants had decreased on average by 30–48% compared to their maximum values. This pattern was observed in both men and women. At the same time, even regular training could not completely stop age-related changes. People who engaged in sports throughout their lives also experienced a gradual decline in physical capabilities. However, this does not mean that physical activity is useless. **There is good news: it’s never too late to start exercising** One of the most encouraging results of the study was the discovery that physical fitness can be improved even in adulthood. Participants who began to engage in physical activity regularly later in life showed an improvement in physical indicators of about 5–10%. Meanwhile, people who were accustomed to an active lifestyle since their teenage years generally maintained higher levels of strength and endurance over the following decades. According to the lead author of the study, Maria Westerstahl, a lecturer at the Department of Laboratory Medicine at the Karolinska Institute, physical activity can slow down age-related declines in performance, although it is impossible to completely stop this process. Scientists intend to continue their research to determine which biological mechanisms define the peak of human physical capabilities and why regular exercise helps maintain good shape for longer. The main conclusion of the study is simple: after the age of 35, the body does begin to gradually lose physical capabilities, but the rate of these changes largely depends on lifestyle. And even if the best athletic performances are in the past, movement still helps to remain stronger and more enduring.
