Ageing delayed by aerobic fitness

According to an article in The British Journal of Sports Medicine the secret of eternal youth is exercise - and aerobic exercise at that. Maintaining aerobic fitness through middle age can delay biological ageing by up to 12 years and prolong an independent life.

Exercise such as running and cycling improve the body's oxygen consumption, as well as generating energy. But, maximal aerobic capacity starts to fall from middle age onwards, unless you actively work to preserve it. In sedentary men, this capacity can fall by half by the age of 60, making even normal activity difficult and tiring. However, regular aerobic exercise can prevent this decline, or even reverse it if started later in life.

And not only will regular aerobic exercise prolong active life and delay ageing, it can also reduce the risk of serious illness, such as heart disease and cancer and maintain balance and coordination.