LONDON , England ( CNN ) -- An $ 80 million research project aimed at giving people 50 active years after the age of 50 was launched by scientists at the University of Leeds in northern England Tuesday . The challenge is to ensure old people stay as fit as Brisbane centenarian Ruth Frith , seen competing at shot put during World Masters Games in Sydney this month . About half of the babies born in Western countries today will live until they are 100 years old , according to recent research published in the medical journal The Lancet , so the challenge is to ensure they remain active throughout their old age . While most of us will live longer than our parents and grandparents , the aging population means that in coming decades more people will suffer from age-related conditions such as osteoarthritis , heart disease and chronic back pain . Obesity and increased physical activity also put more pressure on our joints , causing them to wear out faster . Scientists at Leeds University envisage that many of the body parts that flounder with age could be upgraded using own-grown tissues and more durable implants . This will mean artificial hips , knees and heart valves , for example , lasting far longer than the current 20-year typical lifespan . `` Our work is driven by the concept of 50 more years after 50 -- that is , making our second 50 years of life as healthy , comfortable and active as our first , so we can enjoy a higher quality of life , '' explains Professor John Fisher , who is an expert in artificial joints and tissue regeneration . `` We now have the technology available to do astonishing things , such as repairing the body by growing healthy new tissue through biological scaffolds and stem cell therapy . And a new generation of prosthetic hip and knee joints that last longer will avoid the need for further replacements . '' Fisher says the center also hopes to gain a better understanding of degenerative diseases to allow for early diagnosis , rather than having to treat someone when they are already in crippling pain . `` For example , we 're developing biosensor tools that can detect the presence of antibodies and proteins in the blood . All of these technologies will ultimately reduce suffering in patients through more timely interventions , shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times . '' So how do you feel about this . Are you looking forward to your old age ? Do you believe you will remain active ? Click here to send us your comments and we will try to use as many as possible in tonight 's show .
$ 80M research project launched aimed at giving people 50 active years after 50 . Half of babies born in Western countries today will live until 100 years old . Leeds University projects aims to ensure people remain active into old age . Scientists believe many body parts that flounder with age could be upgraded .