Celebrating Longevity and Vitality
While many aspire to enjoy numerous birthdays, the distinction between longevity and what some experts term ‘healthspan’ is crucial. Healthspan encompasses the quality of life maintained well into old age, characterized by attributes like mobility and mental acuity that are often seen in younger individuals. Emma Maria Mazzenga, however, exemplifies a remarkable exception, having set world records in sprinting as she approaches her centenary.
A Track Star in Her 90s
At 92, Mazzenga, a former chemistry teacher from Padua, Italy, continues to shine as a track athlete, a feat that many in her age demographic would consider a dream. In 2024, she etched her name in the record books with a groundbreaking 200-meter dash time of 51.47 seconds, becoming the fastest female competitor aged 90 and above, according to The Washington Post.
While she acknowledges the sparse competition, her extraordinary achievements have attracted the interest of scientists eager to understand how she maintains such athletic prowess at an advanced age.
Scientific Insights into Uncommon Athleticism
A team of researchers from Italy reached out to Mazzenga for a case study examining the changes in physical abilities as people age. She participated in various performance tests, including cycling and knee exercises, and even provided a muscle biopsy for analysis.
The examination revealed surprising results: Mazzenga’s cardiovascular system operates with the efficiency of a woman 40 years her junior. Furthermore, the biopsy showed remarkably high mitochondrial strength in her cells and an abundance of slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are crucial for endurance.
Researchers concluded that Mazzenga’s muscle functionality aligns more closely with that of a person in their 20s, or roughly one-fifth her age. “Either through genetics or her lifestyle—or a mixture of both—she is able to keep that communication between the brain, between the nerves and the muscle at a much healthier level than what we typically see in a 90-year-old,” said Chris Sundberg, PhD, a co-lead author of the study from Marquette University.
The Secret to Mazzenga’s Success
Mazzenga’s commitment to athletics is unwavering; she was a celebrated sprinter in her youth before stepping back for family. At 53, she returned to the track, reigniting her passion for the sport. She emphasizes an active lifestyle, stating, “I never spend a whole day indoors. Sports have given me so much. I’d say it’s been a lifesaver. I don’t like getting by—just waiting for dusk to fall. I need action.”
Her diet, too, mirrors her approach to life, consisting of “very simple things” such as fish, beef, fried eggs, and moderate portions of pasta and rice.
The Benefits of Lifelong Fitness
Mazzenga’s dedication to fitness underscores a broader scientific consensus: lifelong exercise can significantly enhance quality of life, even into advanced age. “Lifelong exercise training can enable extraordinary performance and maintain high functional levels even into the ninth decade of life,” noted Marta Colosio, PhD, the study’s first author.
Experts also highlight that those who adopt fitness practices later in life can still reap considerable benefits. “A lot of the detrimental effects that you see with aging can be substantially reduced if we just keep those physical activity levels very high,” stated Bas Van Hooren, PhD, an assistant professor at Maastricht University. He emphasized that it is never too late to begin, sharing evidence of elite runners in their 70s who took up the sport later in life. “It’s never too late to get started,” he reinforced.
