Becoming more fit could help men stave of the upward creep of cholesterol levels that is associated with growing older, a study found.

Researchers from the Cooper Clinic in Dallas conducted the long-term study, and included just over 11,400 men, ages 20 to 90.

Each of the men took an exercise test on a treadmill to determine the level of their baseline aerobic fitness.

Researchers measured total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of blood fat), HDL cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol (the total cholesterol level minus the good HDL cholesterol) in study participants.

Men with lower-than-optimal aerobic fitness had a greater risk of developing high cholesterol in their early 30s.

On the other hand, men with higher levels of fitness did not see high cholesterol develop until their mid-40s, the study found.

Men with poor aerobic fitness reached abnormal HDL and non- HDL cholesterol levels around their early 20s and mid-30s, respectively, while those with better fitness experienced normal levels for the entire duration of the study.

The men who were considered “highly fit,” were not marathon runners, but met the government’s current guidelines that call for 150 minutes a week of moderate activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous activity, the researchers noted.

While this study only involved men, there was no reason to think that the results would not be replicated in women, the researchers said.

This is yet more evidence that demonstrates the power of moderate exercise.