New Study: Long-Term Exercise is a True Fountain of Youth
New Study: Long-Term Exercise is a True Fountain of Youth
Published Dec 08, 2009
Exercise is good for you. We all know that. But new research indicates that exercising regularly over a long span of time may be a true fountain of youth. That’s because scientists in Germany have discovered that regular exercise can have an anti-aging effect on human cells. And the longer you exercise, the younger you’ll remain.
Cells are protected from the effects of aging by bits of DNA called telomeres. The telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes from wear and tear—effectively from fraying like the ends of an old shoelace. When the telomeres get too short, cells die. So, researchers consider the length of telomeres (and the presence of their accompanying enzyme, telomerase) as key markers of cells’ health. And research on telomeres is important enough that the 2009 Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded to the researchers who discovered telomeres and their protective effects. Previous research has indicated that exercise has a protective effect on telomeres—but a newly published study says that these benefits increase with time. More years of working out will protect your cells longer.
Researchers in Homburg, Germany conducted a study comparing middle-aged athletes with young professional runners, looking to see whose telomeres were doing better. The study analyzed 32 professional runners with an average age of 20 years, all of them members of the German National Track and Field Team. These sprightly youngsters ran a little more than 45 miles per week. The young runners were compared with a group of middle-aged athletes who had continuously exercised since youth in endurance activities. This group averaged 51 years of age, and they ran about 50 miles per week. Finally, both groups were measured against comparably-aged control groups of people who were healthy but did not regularly exercise.
I back this up cause I live it. Been working out for over 40 years and look and act 20-30 years younger then my biological age. I really work when i go to the gym — no playing .. every other day .. Run and weight lift. Watch what I eat and get proper rest.. Have a fantastic body a 20 yr old would envy. Can work circles around just about everybody in the gym including the 20 – 40 year olds.
I agree with the article. I have been working out (just moderately) since early my 20′s. I thought I did it to reduce stress from my job. Well I don’t look my age now and notice my friends seem to be .. well .. dumpy and aging.