Dozens of data prove that the DNA damage accumulates during human aging and that lifestyle factors contribute to the accumulation of DNA alteration. Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes located at the ends of chromosomes, serving to protect DNA integrity by acting as caps. Telomere length decreases with age, which promotes cell senescence. Shortened telomeres accelerate aging and can lead to cells apoptosis. Telomere shortening is associated with biological aging and can be influenced by factors such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Recent evidence supports that telomere length of skeletal muscle cells and leukocytes may be positively associated with healthy living and inversely correlated with the risk of agerelated syndromes, including obesity, cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stress. In this paper, recent studies are summarized to examine the possible influence of exercise on telomere length. Higher levels of exercise or physical activity are related to longer telomere lengths in several populations, and athletes tend to have longer telomere lengths than non-athletes. This relationship is particularly clear in older individuals, proposing a role of physical activity in preventing the typical age-induced decrements in telomere length. It is proposed that physical activity has a positive effect on the rate of telomere length shortening. In particular, the athletes tend to have longer telomere than sedentary individuals. Exercise has a beneficial outcome on telomere length compared with usual care or inactivity. The evidence gathered to date shows that especially aerobic exercise slows the decline in telomere length. It is fundamental to emphasize how this is important not to overdo it, that is, overtraining must be avoided. Anyway, physical activity and exercise can have both restorative and protective effects and, as such, show great probable to improve well-being and increase longevity. Future studies is needed to mechanistically examine the properties of diverse modalities of exercise on telomere length in middleaged and older subjects.
Sports and aging: the role of physical activity in slowing the shortening of telomeres, a key molecular marker of cellular senescence
STEFANIA D’ANGELO
Writing – Review & Editing
2024-01-01
Abstract
Dozens of data prove that the DNA damage accumulates during human aging and that lifestyle factors contribute to the accumulation of DNA alteration. Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes located at the ends of chromosomes, serving to protect DNA integrity by acting as caps. Telomere length decreases with age, which promotes cell senescence. Shortened telomeres accelerate aging and can lead to cells apoptosis. Telomere shortening is associated with biological aging and can be influenced by factors such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Recent evidence supports that telomere length of skeletal muscle cells and leukocytes may be positively associated with healthy living and inversely correlated with the risk of agerelated syndromes, including obesity, cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stress. In this paper, recent studies are summarized to examine the possible influence of exercise on telomere length. Higher levels of exercise or physical activity are related to longer telomere lengths in several populations, and athletes tend to have longer telomere lengths than non-athletes. This relationship is particularly clear in older individuals, proposing a role of physical activity in preventing the typical age-induced decrements in telomere length. It is proposed that physical activity has a positive effect on the rate of telomere length shortening. In particular, the athletes tend to have longer telomere than sedentary individuals. Exercise has a beneficial outcome on telomere length compared with usual care or inactivity. The evidence gathered to date shows that especially aerobic exercise slows the decline in telomere length. It is fundamental to emphasize how this is important not to overdo it, that is, overtraining must be avoided. Anyway, physical activity and exercise can have both restorative and protective effects and, as such, show great probable to improve well-being and increase longevity. Future studies is needed to mechanistically examine the properties of diverse modalities of exercise on telomere length in middleaged and older subjects.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
