She’s 92, but her muscles function like someone in their 20s, and she keeps breaking records: What's her secret

Emma Maria Mazzenga has been outrunning expectations for decades. At 92, she is not only competing in track races but also breaking records in her age group. In 2023, she twice smashed the outdoor 200-meter world record for women over 90, racing against the only rival she has left, herself, reported The Washington Post.


This is no ordinary story of “healthy ageing.” Scientists in Italy and the United States are now studying Mazzenga because her muscles and fitness levels are unlike anything they’ve seen in a person her age.

Muscles that tell a different story of age

Inside a lab at the University of Pavia, researchers took a small muscle sample from Mazzenga’s quadriceps. What they found surprised them.

• Her slow-twitch muscle fibers, the ones linked to endurance, looked like those of a 20-year-old.
• Her fast-twitch fibers, linked to speed, were more typical of a 70-year-old.
• Her mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of her muscles, worked as if they belonged to someone far younger.

In practical terms, this means her muscles deliver oxygen efficiently, stay resilient during activity, and keep communication between her brain and nerves unusually sharp for her age. Scientists believe a mix of genetics and lifestyle explains these results.

Fitness levels that belong to a younger person

Mazzenga’s body is also extraordinary beyond muscle fibers. Tests show her heart and lungs perform at a level similar to someone in their 50s. For researchers, she is a “perfect subject” to understand how far the human body can push the limits of ageing.


Yet it’s important to note that she is not immune to decline. Her race times at 92 are slower than they were just a few years ago, and her fast-twitch muscle fibres exhibit age-related changes. But the way her body seems to “compensate” with its younger-functioning systems is what makes her so unique.


Mazzenga’s relationship with running is a long one, though it has not been continuous. She first competed at 19 but paused for decades to care for family. At 53, she returned to the track, and never left.


Today, she trains two to three times a week. Her sessions last about an hour: a warm-up jog, short stretches, and practice runs of her chosen race distance. On days off, she walks. She has one simple rule: never spend a whole day indoors.


Even during the COVID-19 lockdowns, she refused to stop. She ran laps in a 20-meter corridor of her house or slipped outside at night for a jog around the block.

Lifestyle and mindset

When it comes to diet, there are no fancy formulas. Mazzenga cooks simple meals: steak, fish, fried eggs, pasta, or rice. She avoids eating before training but otherwise follows her instincts.


What stands out more than any meal plan is her mindset. At 79, she once dislocated her shoulder throwing herself across a finish line, just to win. She admits she “needs action” and cannot imagine a day without movement. That sense of joy and determination has been as important as any workout.


Researchers studying Mazzenga agree on one thing: her case is rare. Marta Colosio, a scientist working on her study, says she hasn’t found another 90-year-old with such fitness. Chris Sundberg, from Marquette University, believes her lifestyle and genetics together allow her body to preserve youthful muscle function.

The secret, if there is one

Emma Mazzenga does not see herself as extraordinary. She says sports have been her “lifesaver.” Her secret, if it can be called that, is not a miracle diet or a hidden training method. It is persistence, joy, and the refusal to give up motion, no matter the circumstances.


Disclaimer: This article is based on reporting from The Washington Post. The information reflects research findings and direct accounts related to Emma Mazzenga, but should not be taken as medical advice. Individual health outcomes vary, and anyone considering new exercise routines should consult a healthcare professional.