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Updated: Jun 16, 2025
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Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
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Physical Activity Is Associated With Decreased Epigenetic Aging: Findings From the Health and Retirement Study
Farah Ammous1, Mark D Peterson2, Colter Mitchell1,3
1Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle
|June 13, 2025
Summary
Regular physical activity is linked to slower epigenetic aging, a marker of biological age. Both accumulated and recent exercise are key predictors, suggesting exercise can promote healthier aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Epigenetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Epigenetic aging clocks, based on DNA methylation, indicate biological age and are associated with health outcomes and disease risk.
- Physical activity and exercise may influence epigenetic aging, potentially promoting healthier aging and reducing chronic disease.
- This study investigated the link between self-reported physical activity and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in the Health and Retirement Study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA).
- To examine how the timing and accumulation of physical activity influence EAA over a 12-year period.
- To identify physical activity as a potential target for interventions promoting healthier biological aging.
Main Methods:
- DNA methylation was measured from leukocyte samples, and second-generation epigenetic clocks (GrimAge, PhenoAge, DunedinPACE) were used to assess EAA.
- Physical activity was self-reported and categorized as 'physically active' based on frequency and intensity.
- Weighted linear regression and a structured life-course modeling approach (SLCMA) were employed for cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.
Main Results:
- Physically active participants exhibited lower EAA compared to inactive individuals in cross-sectional analyses.
- Longitudinal analysis using SLCMA identified both accumulated and recent physical activity as the strongest predictors of EAA.
- Effect modification was observed, with stronger associations in males for DunedinPACE and among Hispanics for GrimAge.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity is a robust factor associated with slower epigenetic aging.
- Both the accumulation of physical activity over time and recent activity are significant predictors of EAA.
- These findings support physical activity's role in promoting healthier biological aging and mitigating age-related health decline.
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