A striking disparity emerges when comparing physically active and sedentary aging, according to new research from the Westerståhl cohort study published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. By age 63, sedentary individuals lose approximately 48% of their peak physical capacity—a decline that represents substantial functional impairment in daily life. Master athletes, by contrast, retain over 80% of their peak capacity through sustained physical activity, a 32-percentage-point advantage that translates to preserved strength, endurance, and mobility. This dramatic difference underscores that age-related physical decline is not inevitable but heavily influenced by lifestyle choices. The longitudinal data spanning 47 years provides robust evidence that consistent exercise throughout adulthood serves as a powerful protective factor against age-related capacity loss, offering a modifiable intervention target for public health initiatives aimed at maintaining function and independence in older populations.
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