| Most runners see substantial performance losses after they turn 70. Not Jeannie Rice, who just turned 77 and ran the Boston Marathon on Monday. She has broken world women’s records in the 75-79 age group for every distance and, at times, beaten the fastest men in that age group. At the Boston Marathon, according to unofficial results, her time was 4 hours, 27 minutes and 17 seconds. It was very slow for Rice, but she still placed first in her age group. Researchers are studying Rice to understand how humans can stay fit as they age, regardless of natural ability and the reduced physical activity often seen in older people, said Bas Van Hooren, assistant professor in nutrition and movement sciences at Maastricht University in the Netherlands and one of the study authors. Rice, a retired real estate agent, proves “it’s never too late to start exercising,” Van Hooren said. |
