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Updated: May 31, 2025
12:08
Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
Published on: May 22, 2013
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Effect of Physical Exercise on Telomere Length: Umbrella Review and Meta-Analysis
Juan Luis Sánchez-González1, Juan Luis Sánchez-Rodríguez2, Rogelio González-Sarmiento3
1Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
JMIR Aging
|January 23, 2025
Summary
Physical exercise shows a small to moderate positive effect on telomere length (TL), a marker of cellular aging. Shorter exercise durations and high-intensity interval training appear most beneficial for promoting longer telomeres and healthier aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Telomere length (TL) is a key indicator of cellular age and overall health.
- Physical activity is linked to improved aging, but evidence on its impact on telomeres is mixed.
- Understanding how exercise influences telomere length is crucial for developing effective anti-aging strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize existing research on the effects of various physical exercise types and durations on telomere length.
- To quantify the overall impact of exercise on telomere length through meta-analysis.
- To identify factors, such as exercise modality and duration, that may influence this relationship.
Main Methods:
- An umbrella review and meta-analysis were conducted.
- Searches were performed across major scientific databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus).
- Eligible systematic reviews and meta-analyses of controlled trials examining exercise's effect on TL were included.
Main Results:
- Twelve systematic reviews, including five meta-analyses, were identified, encompassing 22 primary studies.
- A small-to-moderate positive effect size (0.28) of physical exercise on TL was observed.
- Intervention duration (less than 30 weeks) and exercise type (high-intensity interval training) significantly influenced the positive effects on TL.
Conclusions:
- Physical exercise demonstrates a beneficial effect on telomere length, with variations based on duration and modality.
- High-intensity interval training and shorter intervention periods showed more pronounced effects.
- Further high-quality research on standardized exercise programs is needed to confirm these findings.
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