Italian woman, 91, breaks running record what makes her body different, according to doctors
Most 91-year-olds are racing to their recliners.Not Emma Maria Mazzenga.The Italian nonagenarian sprinted through a 200-meter dash in under a minute last year, crushing the previous world record for her age group.
While others were gasping for air, Mazzenga was already sizing up her next race.Amazed by her speed, doctors investigated what makes this senior sprinter tick.Now, they’ve uncovered the unique physical traits that have helped make Mazzenga one of Italy’s most unstoppable athletic wonders. After blazing through a 200-meter dash in just 51.47 seconds — nearly 1.5 seconds faster than the previous 90-plus world record — Mazzenga enrolled in a scientific study to help scientists better understand her powerhouse physiology.Italian researchers put the speed queen through a battery of tests, including cycling drills, knee exercises and thigh muscle biopsies. They found two key factors fueling her fire. First, Mazzenga’s cardiorespiratory fitness — how well her heart and lungs pump oxygen to her muscles — was on par with a highly fit woman in her 50s.
The energy centers of her cells were also virtually identical to a person decades younger. Second, her muscles were incredibly unique.Mazzenga’s slow-twitch fibers — built for endurance — were “remarkably large,” letting her go the distance without burning out.She also had a “very high percentage” of fast-twitch fibers, which produce powerful bursts of energy.
According to researchers, these are ideal for fast, explosive movements like sprinting.“This unique combination likely contributed to her exceptional 200m sprint performance, allowing her to maintain both endurance and speed at an advanced age,” said Dr.Marta Colosio, a postdoctoral fellow at Marquette University and first author of the study.So, how does a 91-year-old end up with the body — and sprint times — of someone half her age?Simple: she’s been putting in the work for decades.Born in 1933, Mazzenga first hit...