Woman, 91, breaks marathon record: Scientists decode this unusual stamina

Meet Emma Maria Mazzenga , the 91 year old who broke a marathon record , amazing everyone with her stamina. In May 2024, the Italian woman ran the 200 metres outdoors in 51.47 seconds.

As per a Reuters report, Mazzenga, then 90 years old, holds five world records, nine European records and 28 best Italian performances in various categories of Masters sprinting - competitive races for older runners organised by age group.

Mazzenga enrolled in a scientific study to help scientists better understand her powerhouse physiology. She was put through several tests like cycling drills, knee exercises and thigh muscle biopsies. "The world record holder performed a cycling test and knee extensor exercises in the lab of Simone Porcelli, MD, PhD, at the University of Pavia in Italy. The goal of the exercise session was to assess power output and muscle fatigue. In addition, the researchers performed a muscle biopsy of the sprinter’s thigh and muscle fibers were analyzed in the lab of Christopher Sundberg, PhD, at Marquette University in Milwaukee," a report by the American Physiological Society says.

The scientists found that the 91 year old woman's cardiorespiratory fitness was at par with that of a fit and healthy woman in her 50s. "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," the report says. "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," it added.



Slow-twitch fibers are your "marathon runners." They’re all about endurance. These fibers work best when you’re doing activities that last a long time, like distance running, cycling, or even standing for hours. They don’t get tired quickly, but they’re not about speed or big bursts of power. Think of them as steady and reliable — like a car that just keeps going without guzzling too much gas.

Fast-twitch fibers, on the other hand, are the "sprinters." They're made for quick, powerful movements — stuff like sprinting, jumping, or heavy lifting. They react fast, but they burn out pretty quickly too. So, while they’re amazing for explosive strength, they’re not built for the long haul.

Everyone has a mix of both fiber types, but the ratio can vary based on genetics, training, and the kind of activities you do.

“This unique combination likely contributed to her exceptional 200m sprint performance, allowing her to maintain both endurance and speed at an advanced age,” said Marta Colosio, PhD, postdoctoral fellow at Marquette University and first author of the study. “Lifelong exercise training can enable extraordinary performance and maintain high functional levels even into the ninth decade of life.”



However, the findings of this study emphasize the benefits of physical activity at any age, including older adults who have not been lifelong exercisers. “Exercise is a powerful tool for promoting healthy aging,” Colosio said.

She ran as a young woman, and then resumed it at 53
“It got me through some difficult times, which of course haven't been lacking in a life as long as mine,“ she told Reuters. Running “also allowed me to always be surrounded by a lot of people, so that I was never alone,“ she added.

Mazzenga got married in 1963 and returned to racing in 1986. The 1933 born ran in the 100, 200, 400 and even the 800-meter races during her college days.

With a world record, Mazzenga has broken several stereotypes and myths around aging.