Despite many studies, no scientist has been able – to date – to stop the aging process in humans. However, new research developed by scientists at Brigham Young University in Utah (USA) reveals that we can delay a type of aging, exactly what happens inside our cells. As long as we are willing to break a great sweat.
“Just because you’re 40 doesn’t mean you’re 40 biologically . We all know people who look younger than they really are. The more physically active we are, the less biological aging takes place in our bodies,” explains Larry Tucker, job leader.
The study has found that people who have consistently high levels of physical activity have significantly longer telomeres than those who have sedentary lifestyles, or even those who are moderately active. Let us remember that telomeres are the protein ends of chromosomes and that they are equivalent to our biological clock. Every time a cell replicates, they get shorter; hence the older we are, the shorter our telomeres are.
The experts analyzed data from 5,823 adults who participated in the CDC (Center for Disease Control) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, one of the few indexes that includes telomere length values for study subjects. It also included information on the volunteers’ physical activity.
No difference between sedentary and moderately active
The results showed that adults with high levels of physical activity had telomeres with a 9-year biological aging advantage over sedentary adults and a 7-year advantage compared to moderately active people. Very active exercise was limited to 30 minutes of running for women and 40 minutes for men, five days a week.
Although the exact mechanism of how exercise preserves telomeres is unknown, Tucker believes it may be linked to inflammation and oxidative stress : “We know that regular physical activity helps reduce mortality and prolong life, and now we know which part of that advantage may be due to the preservation of telomeres. “
The study has been published in the journal Preventive Medicine.
