Scientists in London believe that older people should take their bikes more often. They followed 125 elderly people, some of them in the 80s, who regularly cycle long distances. The study showed that these active eighties had regained the immune system of twenty-somethings thanks to their movement.
The effect of moving at an older age appears to be even greater than previously thought, according to the researchers in the scientific journal Aging Cell. Professor Norman Lazarus (82) of King's College in London, one of the authors of the article, told the BBC: "If moving was a pill, everyone would take it. It has so many benefits for the body, mind, muscles and our immune system."
The 125 participants were all part of Audax, an organization that organizes cycle trips over 100 kilometres. The researchers compared the number of T cells in their blood with those of their inactive peers. T-cells detect diseases so they can be combated, an essential part of the immune system. As one gets older, production of T- cell is normally reduced. However, in physically active elderly people it appeared that they had as many T- cells in the blood as someone aged 20, with all the positive effects that this had.
"Staying in a constant position is against our evolution. People are made to be physically active," says Steve Harridge, Professor of physiology at King's College in London and co-author of the research. He added that you don't necessarily have to cycle 100 kilometers every day to see improvements. Even a daily bike ride to the supermarket can help. "Everything you put on the move and improve your condition contributes."
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