The elderly should use their bicycle more often, scientists in London think. They followed 125 elderly people, some in their 80s, who regularly cycle long distances. This showed that these kicking eighties had the immune system of a twenty-something again by exercising.
The effect of exercise in old age is even greater than previously thought, the researchers write in the scientific journal Aging Cell. Professor Norman Lazarus (82) of King’s College London, one of the authors of the article, tells the BBC: ,,If exercise were a pill, everyone would take it. It has so many benefits for the body, mind, muscles and immune system.”
The 125 candidates were all part of Audax, an organization that organizes bike rides of more than 100 kilometers. They were looked at the number of T cells in the blood compared to their inactive peers. T cells detect diseases so that they can be combated, an important part of the immune system, but the human body normally gets less and less of them over time. In the physically active elderly it turned out that they still have as many T cells in their blood as someone of 20, with all the positive consequences that entails.
Constantly sitting down goes against our evolution. Humans are made to be physically active
Just take the stairs
So exercise really pays off, the scientists think. “The immune system deteriorates by about 2 to 3 percent every year from the age of 20,” explains researcher Janet Lord. “As a result, the elderly are more susceptible to infections, conditions such as arthritis and even cancer. The cyclists have better protection against all these problems, because they have the immune system of someone of 20 instead of someone of 70 or 80.” The scientists also argue that because of the high levels of T cells, vaccines should work better.
Many problems that come with old age can therefore simply be prevented by exercising a lot. The third and final researcher, Steve Hardridge, finds this finding nothing more than logical, he tells the BBC. ,,Constantly sitting down goes against our evolution. Humans are made to be physically active.” He adds that you don’t necessarily have to cycle 100 kilometers every day to see improvement. A daily bike ride to the supermarket can also help. “Anything that gets you moving and improving your condition will help.”
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