Can physical exercise extend our lifespan?

A beneficial impact of physical activity on cell regeneration and aging has been observed (D.. Ornish et al. 2013). For instance, endurance training is associated with higher telomerase activity and lowered telomere retention rate in young and middle age (C.. Werner et al. 2009). Telbonomerase is a nucleoprotein enzyme whose function is to regulate the regulation of the last segment of the DNA strand in a controlled group of cells. However, a study conducted by Ch. M. Werner and colleagues showed that endurance training, interval training, and resistance training can influence telomerase activity and telomere length. The participants of the study were 124 non-smokers aged 30-60 who had no prior regular physical activity. The participants were divided into four groups: one group did endurance training (long-distance running), one group did interval training (4x4 method), one group did resistance training in the form of circuit training, and one group was the control group. The participants performed three training sessions per week for 45 minutes each over a period of six months. The study found that through regular physical activity, telomerase activity increased, which means that physical exertion can prolong life (Ch. M. Werner et al., 2019). In another study by P. Schnohr and colleagues, 8577 people were examined over a period of 25 years in relation to mortality. The participants filled out a questionnaire in which they reported in detail about their physical activity - intensity and type (tennis, badminton, football, jogging, cycling, gymnastics, swimming, strength training). The study found that those who regularly engaged in physical activity lived longer than those who were not active. Interestingly, those who practiced sports that required interaction with another person had the best results in terms of life extension (tennis - expected lifespan higher by 9.7 years, badminton - 6.2 years, football - 4.7 years) (P. Schnohr et al., 2018). Based on this observational study, it can be concluded that regular physical activity can prolong life, but a causal relationship with this theory is not unequivocally confirmed.

The importance of physical activity for health and fitness is increasingly being emphasized. According to the World Health Organization, every adult should engage in at least 150-300 minutes of regular physical activity per week. The more time we devote to exercise, the greater the potential benefit. Many people believe that only very demanding sports such as strength training, intense running or cycling can bring health benefits and extend our lives. But there is nothing more wrong! Even just 20 minutes of daily walks can significantly improve the function of our heart and circulatory system, and help us renew our energy. Walks also provide more oxygen to our body, reduce stress and reduce the risk of many diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis or cancer. Regular walks also strengthen our muscles and joints and improve our mood. It is worth paying attention to which exercises give us pleasure - these can be leisurely bike rides, morning jogs, swimming, properly planned strength training or mountain climbing. Each of these activities can bring health benefits.

It is commonly believed that regular exercise can bring numerous benefits to both mental and physical health. Engaging in sports has an impact on reducing the risk of many diseases, particularly those referred to as civilization diseases, such as obesity. The aging process has been the subject of scientific research for many years. Studies have shown that lifestyle, including physical activity, can have a positive effect on telomerase activity and telomere length, which play a crucial role in cell aging and regeneration.