At 92, Emma Mazzenga has nothing of the classic grandmother image. A Paduan, former chemistry teacher, she is now a legend of masters athletics: 11 world titles, 31 European titles and more than 100 Italian titles appear on her palmarès. Her story intrigues not only because of her athletic achievements, but also because of the way her body continues to respond as that of a much younger woman. Emma began competing seriously only after the age of 50 and has not stopped since. Today she holds four world records in her category and recently improved the 200-meter record twice. According to a study cited by the Washington Post, her muscle fibers resemble those of a 70-year-old, while her mitochondrial efficiency resembles that of a 20-year-old. Her recipe is simple: move all the time. “You don't need to be a competitive athlete, just don't stand still”, she repeats to those who ask her about the secret of her longevity. A regular life, a balanced diet and the joy of working out complete the picture. Precisely because of these characteristics, Emma has become the subject of studies by researchers from Italy and the United States, interested in understanding how she manages to maintain such a rare balance between brain, nerves and muscles. For them it is a unique case, for her just a way of life. She celebrated her 92nd birthday on August 3, but she is already thinking about upcoming competitions. With a smile that is worth more than any record, she confesses, “I live for the day, but I still have fun”.