Exercise regularly to stay strong at old age

The "secret" to staying strong as we age is superb fitness that can be achieved by regular exercise, suggests new research. The study found that people who were elite athletes in their youth or later in life have much healthier muscles at the cellular level compared to those of non-athletes. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, compared world-class track and field athletes in their 80s with people of the same age who are living independently. "One of the most unique and novel aspects of this study is the exceptional participants," said researcher Geoff Power, professor at University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.