Key Takeaways
- Research suggests physical fitness and muscular endurance can begin to drop around age 35, even for individuals who exercise regularly.
- According to a study from Sweden's Karolinska Institutet, physical capacity decreased by 30 to 48 percent by age 63 compared to peak levels.
- Inactive adults who adopt physical activity later in life can still boost their physical capacity by 5 to 10 percent.
What the Source Says
A 47-year study published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle tracked 427 individuals born in 1958, measuring their performance from adolescence through age 63. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet repeatedly assessed several aspects of fitness, including aerobic capacity, muscular endurance, and jumping power.
The study found that aerobic capacity and muscular endurance generally reached peak levels between the ages of 26 and 36. Following this peak, physical performance gradually declined, with the rate of deterioration accelerating later in adulthood. By age 63, overall physical capacity was roughly 30 to 48 percent lower than peak measurements across the tested areas. Researchers emphasized that early physical decline before age 40 can eventually lead to meaningful functional limitations, particularly for sedentary individuals.
Despite these declines, the research offers encouraging news. Participants who were inactive but became physically active during adulthood improved their physical capacity by approximately 5 to 10 percent. Lead researcher Maria Westerståhl, PhD, noted that exercise can slow age-related deterioration, even if it cannot completely stop biological aging.
Practical Notes
Biological aging does not mean an individual must automatically grow weaker with each passing year. Targeted training can still improve capacity from a person's current starting point. For adults over 40, maintaining regular physical activity—including progressive resistance training—and monitoring strength and functional performance can help manage physical capacity over time. Specific exercise program details or dosages were not specified in the source; please check the official notice. Always consult your doctor before starting or changing an exercise routine.
Source: healthy aging exercise older adults - BingNews · Published October 18, 2026 · Photo by Pars Sahin on Unsplash
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before making health decisions.