Health and ageing characteristics of highly physically active 65-year-old men

Eighteen highly physically active men at mean age of 65 years, and who had training since youth, were compared with men from the general population at 67 years of age (N = 644). Body fat was low in the well-trained men, particularly in central regions of the body. They smoked less and characterized themselves as being in a general state of good health and well-being. Plasma insulin values were remarkably low and blood pressure and resting heart rate were lower and ventilatory capacity better than in controls. The 'juvenile' traits in their energy metabolism, as well as in blood pressure and in their own perception of being highly energetic were not associated with less ageing characteristics of hair, skin or function of senses. The results obtained in this highly selected group suggest that physical activity might retard the rate of decline of some age-dependent factors, also at a fairly advanced age.