92-Year-Old Sprinter Breaks Records
Introduction
Meet Emma Maria Mazzenga, a 92-year-old sprinter who holds four world records for women over 90. Her incredible physical abilities have caught the attention of researchers, leading them to question how she has maintained such remarkable muscle cells at her age.
The Secret to Her Success
With the average person losing about 30% of their muscle mass by the age of 70, Emma's strength and agility are truly exceptional. Researchers are now studying her DNA, hoping to uncover the secret behind her youthful muscle cells. Their findings have brought to light the importance of regular exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, even in old age.
Inspiration for Others
Emma's achievements serve as an inspiration to people of all ages, proving that it's never too late to stay active and maintain a healthy body. Her dedication to fitness and determination to break records is a reminder that age should not be a barrier to physical strength and vitality.
About the People Mentioned
Emma Maria Mazzenga
Emma Maria Mazzenga is a 92-year-old Italian sprinter from Padua who has become one of the most remarkable athletes in the masters track and field community.[2] Born in 1933, she initially competed as a decorated sprinter in her late teens and early twenties, racing for Cus Padova from 1956 to 1961 in distances ranging from 100 to 800 meters, with her best result being a fourth-place finish at the national championships in Rome.[1] After marrying in 1963, Mazzenga stepped away from competitive athletics for over two decades. At age 53 in 1986, she returned to racing with her former teammates and has maintained her athletic pursuits continuously for the past 40 years.[2][3] What began as a casual return to the sport evolved into an extraordinary career in masters athletics. Since 2024, Mazzenga has established herself as a record-breaker, holding four world records for women over 90.[2] Her achievements include breaking the indoor 200-meter world record with a time of 51.08 seconds in March 2024, setting records in the 60-meter dash (13.91 seconds) and 400-meter (2:06.34) at the European Masters Athletics Championships in Poland that same month, and breaking the outdoor 200-meter world record in June 2024 with a time of 50.33 seconds.[2] She also set a 200-meter indoor record of 54.47 seconds in January.[1] Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Mazzenga has attracted significant scientific attention. Italian researchers studying the aging process discovered that her cardiovascular health mirrors that of someone 40 years younger, and her muscle mitochondria function at the level of a healthy 20-year-old.[5] Her training routine consists of at least three sessions weekly on local tracks and dirt paths near riverbanks.[2] A former chemistry teacher, Mazzenga continues to compete internationally and trains with fellow runner Rosa, maintaining her passion for the sport that has defined much of her life.
