Honouring the 'ageless'

The 75-year-old surfer, the 68-year-old stuntman, the 52-year-old female bodybuilder, the 97-year-old roller skater, the 88-year-old lion tamer…all of them prove one thing: you don't always need to 'act your age'.

There are generations of people out there who refuse to let their advancing years get in the way of doing something they enjoy, whether it's bee keeping or mountain biking.

Nintendo has chosen to honour 100 such inspirational individuals who represent the thinking behind the Nintendo DS software 'Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain?'

Dr Kawashima's program - a hit with players across the world - aims to develop your mental fitness through fun daily exercises in an effort to improve your 'Brain Age' and keep your mind feeling young.

The 100 individuals, aged from 54 to 104 and living across the United States, were each awarded with a copy of 'Brain Training' and a Nintendo DS for their efforts.

"These honourees represent the kind of people we all want to grow up to be," said Nintendo of America spokesman George Harrison. "They refuse to act their age. They think young, and therefore they act young. Brain Training is one more tool in their anti-aging arsenal."

A 2006 survey by the Entertainment Software Association revealed that 25 percent of all gamers in the U.S. are aged 55 and older. 'Brain Training' has been a big success with older, active adults, who use it daily to help keep their minds sharp with tests of memory, mathematics, reading and arithmetic.

"The award is a reminder to people of all generations that age is just a number," said award recipient Cathi Watson, a 73-year-old radio show host and producer. "Keeping your body and mind fit and active are the keys to remaining young at heart."