The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, also concludes that aerobics also prolong independence during old age.
Aerobic exercise including jogging, swimming, cycling or walking improves the body's oxygen consumption and increases metabolism.
Aerobic power starts to fall steadily from middle age by around 5 ml/kg min every decade. When it hits below around 18 ml in men and 15 ml in women, it is difficult to do much without experiencing severe fatigue.
At age 60, the maximal aerobic power falls to almost half of what it was at the age of 20.
But evidence shows that regular aerobic exercise can slow or reverse the decline, even in later life.
Research at the University of Toronto shows that high intensity aerobic exercise over a long period increases maximal aerobic power by 25 percent, or 10 to 12 biological years.
"There seems good evidence that the conservation of maximal oxygen intake increases the likelihood that the healthy elderly person will retain functional independence," said study author Dr. Roy Shephard on CTV.
Other benefits of aerobic exercise includes reduced risk of serious disease, faster recovery after injury or illness, and reduced risk of falls because one has maintained their muscle power, balance and coordination.
