Exercising Keeps Your Cells from Aging
The sedentary older subjects had telomeres that were on average 40 percent shorter than in the sedentary young subjects, suggesting that the older subjects’ cells were, like them, aging. The runners, on the other hand, had remarkably youthful telomeres, a bit shorter than those in the young runners, but only by about 10 percent. In general, telomere loss was reduced by approximately 75 percent in the aging runners. Or, to put it more succinctly, exercise, Dr. Werner says, ‘‘at the molecular level has an anti-aging effect.’’
Full article on the anti-aging benefits of exercise.
To bad they didn’t address selection question in the Times article. Maybe only those who have youthful telomeres are capable of running miles and miles a week at 50+.
I find that most studies on health questions are poorly done — the kind of reaearch that would never be accepted by an economics journal. On the other hand, the case for exercise seems to be overwhelming.
Linda, are you suggesting that youthful telomeres cause people to exercise? Reverse causality?
Bruce,
Is it known how telomeres vary by age and physical condition across the population? I have no idea. I just wish the Times had saved me the trouble of asking by asking some of the simple questions that help put a study like this in context.
While youthful telomeres may not cause people to exercise, what if people with youthful telomeres are much more likely to exercise because they are, physically, more youthful?