The Association of Physical Activity Behaviors and Patterns With Aging Acceleration: Evidence From the UK Biobank

Abstract

Prior evidence suggests that physical activity may reduce the risk of multiple diseases and mortality. However, whether and how physical activity affects the aging process remains largely unexplored. We included 284,479 UK Biobank participants and computed leukocyte telomere length (LTL) deviation (i.e., the difference between genetically determined and observed LTL) and biological age acceleration (BAA, defined as the discrepancy between the phenotypic age of a person and the average phenotypic age in the cohort of individuals with the same age and sex) as the indexes for aging acceleration. Linear and logistic models were used to estimate the associations of self-reported physical activity items and patterns (identified by principal component analysis), as well as accelerometer-assessed physical activity, with aging acceleration. Analyses of physical activity patterns indicated, a higher level of adherence to activity patterns predominated by strenuous sports, other exercises, walking for pleasure, heavy and light housework, and public transportation use was associated with a lower risk of aging acceleration, whereas a higher level of adherence to patterns predominated by job-related activities was associated with a higher risk of aging acceleration. Analysis among 62,418 participants with accelerometer-measured physical activity corroborated these results. Physical activity, such as strenuous sports and other exercises at leisure time and use of public transportation, was associated with a reduced biological aging. Besides highlighting the importance of engaging in physical activity for healthy aging, our results provide further evidence for the beneficial effect of physical activity on the telomere attrition process.

What improvements do general exercise training and traditional Chinese exercises have on knee osteoarthritis? A narrative review based on biological mechanisms and clinical efficacy

“…A randomized controlled trial found that exercise can increase the content of telomere repeat binding factor 2 (TRF2), effectively preventing telomere shortening ( 55 ). Additionally, a study analyzing 284,479 participants from the UK Biobank found that individuals who consistently engage in physical activities have a lower aging acceleration index, indicating longer telomeres ( 56 ). Therefore, exercise plays a positive role in alleviating telomere shortening and delaying chondrocyte aging.…”

Early-life exposure to tobacco, genetic susceptibility, and accelerated biological aging in adulthood

“…Multiple large-scale genome-wide association studies have identified numerous genetic variants associated with BA ( 22 , 23 ). On the basis of these findings, researchers have constructed polygenic risk scores (PRS) as a potential tool to predict an individual’s genetic susceptibility to specific outcomes related to BA ( 24 , 25 ). Additionally, previous studies have evaluated the interplay between early-life tobacco exposure and PRS ( 12 , 14 ), but no studies have elucidated the role that genetic susceptibility played in the relationships between early-life tobacco exposure and biological aging in adulthood.…”