Long-Term Recreational Football Training and Health in Aging.

Esther Imperlini,Daniela Vitucci,Valeria Di Onofrio,Francesca Gallè,Annamaria Mancini,Giorgio Liguori,Stefania Orrù,Pasqualina Buono,Giuliana Salvatore,Andreina Alfieri,Giuliana Valerio

doi:10.3390/ijerph17062087

Abstract

This narrative review aims to critically analyze the effects of exercise on health in aging. Here we discuss the main clinical and biomolecular modifications induced by long-term recreational football training in older subjects. In particular, the effects induced by long-term recreational football training on cardiovascular, metabolic and musculo-skeletal fitness, together with the modifications in the muscle expression of hallmarks related to oxidative metabolism, DNA repair and senescence suppression pathways and protein quality control mechanisms will be provided. All these topics will be debated also in terms of preventing non-communicable metabolic diseases, in order to achieve successful aging over time.

Highlights

Aging is characterized by a progressive, physiological decline of several biological functions leading to senescence, with a reduction of an organism’s ability to adapt to metabolic stress [1]
MRNA and/or protein expression levels of hallmarks involved in oxidative metabolism, DNA repair promotion and senescence suppression pathways have been investigated in muscles from lifelong football-trained older subjects, compared to untrained age-matched control group (CG) [92]
The authors have demonstrated that lifelong football training counteracts the aging mediated decline of muscle oxidative capacity, through the up-regulation in muscle cells of biomarkers involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism

Summary

Introduction

Aging is characterized by a progressive, physiological decline of several biological functions leading to senescence, with a reduction of an organism’s ability to adapt to metabolic stress [1]. Sarcopenia is associated with impairment of the mitochondrial function: reactive oxygen species (ROS), strongly increased in the muscle cells of older subjects, lead to an increased number of mutations in mitochondrial DNA, resulting in reduced oxidative capacity [12]. All these alterations are responsible for the age-related disabilities and the decrease in the quality of life (QoL) observed in older subjects [13,14]. Risk factors, such as sedentary lifestyle, smoking and alcohol abuse, and protective ones, like active-life and sport, play a key antagonistic role in determining quality of life (QoL) and general well-being [34]

Exercise and Aging

Football and Health

Muscle Aging

Conclusions

Findings

Main Results