Abstract
Aging is a complex process that is not well understood but involves finite changes at the genetic and epigenetic level. Physical activity is a well-documented modulator of the physiological process of aging. It has been suggested that the beneficial health effects of regular exercise are at least partly mediated through its effects on telomeres and associated regulatory pathways. Telomeres, the region of repetitive nucleotide sequences functioning as a “cap” at the chromosomal ends, play an important role to protect genomic DNA from degradation. Telomeres of dividing cells progressively shorten with age. Leucocyte telomere length (TL) has been associated with age-related diseases. Epidemiologic evidence indicates a strong relationship between physical activity and TL. In addition, TL has also been shown to predict all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Experimental studies support a functional link between aerobic exercise and telomere preservation through activation of telomerase, an enzyme that adds nucleotides to the telomeric ends. However, unresolved questions regarding exercise modalities, pathomechanistic aspects and analytical issues limit the interpretability of available data. This review provides an overview about the current knowledge in the area of telomere biology, aging and physical activity. Finally, the capabilities and limitations of available analytical methods are addressed.
Highlights
Over the last 200 years average life expectancy in developed countries has more than doubled and is above 80 years [1]
This review aims to provide an overview on the current knowledge in the area of telomere biology, aging and physical activity
Telomere research has gained much attention in the previous decade for its potential use and promise as a future therapeutic target, disease management and measurement of genomic aging. Interventions, such as physical activity that target the deleterious processes of aging have concomitantly created interest in the area of lifestyle and aging related research
Summary
Over the last 200 years average life expectancy in developed countries has more than doubled and is above 80 years [1] In numerous studies this linear increase is suggested to rise to an average life span of 100 years or more [2,3,4]. This dramatic increase in life expectancy was largely driven by changes in lifestyle, sanitation and a continuous improvement of health care [5]. Strategies to promote healthy aging have gained great interest in developed societies
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