TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A new study by researchers from Humboldt State University and University of Colorado in Boulder unveil the benefit of jogging for elderly. Jogging or running, according to the study published on PLoS ONE will make metabolism on older adults similar to those on 20s.

"What we found is that older adults who regularly participate in high aerobic activities -- running in particular -- have what we call a lower metabolic cost of walking than older, sedentary adults. In fact, their metabolic cost of walking is similar to young adults in their 20s," said Justus Ortega to Science Daily. Ortega is a Kinesiology Professor at Humboldt State and director of HSU's Biomechanics Lab.

Researchers aren't yet sure what makes joggers more efficient than walkers but they believe it may have something to do with the mitochondria found in cells. Evidence suggests that people who exercise vigorously have healthier mitochondria in their muscles.

"The bottom line is that running keeps you younger, at least in terms of efficiency," said Rodger Kram, a Professor of Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a co-author of the paper.

SCIENCEDAILY | AMRI MAHBUB