BRADFORD researchers are hoping to solve the age-old mystery of why some people stay fit and resilient in their golden years while others get ill and frail.

More than 200 people from GP practices in Tong, Manningham, Saltaire, Shipley and Rawdon have been signed up to take part in the study led by researchers from the Bradford Institute for Health Research, based at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI).

Findings so far have revealed that loneliness, mobility problems, pain and memory difficulties are common and all have a major impact on the quality of life in older age, but may be treatable.

Project Manager Anne Heaven said: “What we discovered through our data analysis is that almost half of people in this age group have problems just walking about or feeling lonely.

“The first analysis also reveals that 14 per cent of participants showed signs of depression, yet only half of those showing signs of depression had an official diagnosis by their GP.”

Almost half of those taking part reported experiencing some pain on the day they were interviewed and for almost 20 per cent of them, the pain was moderate or severe.

On the back of the findings the research team has submitted bids for research grants to look specifically at pain and mobility in more depth to develop treatments to improve quality of life in older age.

“If people hear the word frailty, they worry about the future.

“This study is particularly exciting and valuable because it will help the development of treatments to improve health and wellbeing in older age,” added Ms Heaven.

Dr Andrew Clegg, a BRI consultant geriatrician, is chief investigator on the study which is being funded by the National Institute for Health Research, Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care programme.

The Bradford-led side of the project is part of a Yorkshire and Humber community ageing Care75+ study which will eventually be mirrored in other parts of the country with the hope of recruiting up to 1,000 older people.

Those people will all be tracked for up to four years so researches can keep collecting information and check on a whole range of issues that could affect their health and wellbeing.

Researchers are also currently working with study participants on two more projects to study nutrition and resourcefulness in later life.

Meanwhile, latest data from the Office of National Statistics shows that in 2014, people aged 70 and above accounted for just more than half of the total number of cancer cases registered in England.

The highest incidence rate of the disease was in the North East which includes Yorkshire while the lowest was in London.