Khaberni - A long-term study lasting 47 years has unveiled the age at which humans reach their peak physical fitness, and the age at which fitness levels start to decline, with encouraging results that suggest the possibility of improving physical capabilities even in adults who begin exercising later in life.
Physical fitness peaks early
According to the "Mirror" newspaper, the study showed that physical capacity and muscle endurance peak between ages 26 and 36 for both men and women, before gradually diminishing after the age of thirty-five.
The results suggest that individuals living a sedentary lifestyle experience a significant decrease in their physical functions after reaching their fitness peak.
According to researchers at Sweden's Karolinska Institute, physical capacity decreases by up to 48% between the ages of 35 and 63.
This deterioration appears gradual at first but accelerates with age, highlighting the importance of regular physical activity to maintain body health and muscle performance.
Encouraging news for sports enthusiasts
Despite this natural decline, the study showed that adults who start exercising after the age of 35 can increase their physical capacity by an estimated 5 to 10%.
Maria Westerstahl, a lecturer in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and the lead author of the study, said:
"It’s never too late to start moving. Physical activity can slow down the performance decline, even if it cannot stop it completely.".
