By some measures, [Emma Maria Mazzenga] appears to have the cardiorespiratory fitness of someone in their 50s and her muscle’s mitochondria function as well as a healthy 20-year-old, [researchers in Italy] said.
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“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,” [Chris] Sundberg said. The well-functioning parts of Mazzenga’s muscle appear to be “almost compensating” for her fast-twitch muscle fibers, he said.
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To stay physically and mentally active later in life, a person needs a holistic approach to nutrition, cognition and exercise, [Luigi Ferrucci] said. “Exercise is a good base but you need to do a lot more. You need to take care of your entire body.”
Mazzenga said when she’s training she eats “what she generally eats.” And, she cooks “very simple things” such as steak, fish, fried eggs and “a little pasta, a little rice.” But, she avoids eating anything three hours before running.
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