When It Comes to Fitness, Age is Just a Number

Although conventional wisdom would lead one to believe that older people become less fit as they age, it's not always the case. New research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology shows that when it comes to fitness, age is just a number. According to their study, a 50-year-old can be as physically fit as someone up to 30 years younger. However, as you may have guessed, exercise is a key factor.

For this study, researchers examined information from 4,631 healthy men and women (ages 20-90) from Norway's biggest health database, to determine their level of fitness. All participants underwent laboratory tests in to check their peak oxygen uptake, which is the most reliable measure of cardiovascular fitness. They found that some avid exercisers who were in their fifties were more fit than people in their twenties, who barely exercised or were sedentary. They key, according to researchers, was to maintain a regular physical activity regimen, even for older people.