Archive · 19 Jan 2026
Swedish Study Shows Fitness Decline Starts at 35
A big study in Sweden followed people for almost 50 years to see how their bodies change as they get older.
They found that people start to get less fit and strong around the age of 35.
But the good news is that even if you start exercising later in life, you can still get a little bit stronger.
The study shows that it's never too late to start moving and being active.
The researchers want to find out why people are strongest at 35 and how exercise can help slow down the loss of strength.
They will check the participants again next year when they are 68 years old.
Fitness and strength begin to decline around age 35, according to a 47-year Swedish study.
Participants who started exercising later in life still improved their physical capacity by 5-10%.
The study tracked several hundred men and women aged 16-63 over nearly five decades.
Researchers found that exercise can slow down physical decline but cannot completely stop it.
The next examination of participants will occur when they reach age 68 to further understand the connection between physical performance and lifestyle choices.
- Who
- Adults aged 16-63 in Sweden
- What
- Fitness and strength decline begins at age 35
- When
- Study conducted over 47 years, with next examination at age 68
- Where
- Sweden
- Why
- To understand how fitness, strength, and muscle endurance evolve during adulthood
- Study Duration
- 47 years
- Participants
- Several hundred men and women aged 16-63
- Key Finding
- Fitness and strength decline starts at age 35
- Improvement from Exercise
- 5-10% increase in physical capacity
- Journal
- Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle
- Lead Author
- Maria Westerstahl