Exercise may slow aging according to a new study

For years we’ve been told of the importance of health and fitness. Adding to that notion is a recent study published by Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

The study looks at a person’s telomeres, DNA’s cap, which most resembles the plastic tip at the end of a shoelace. Previous research has indicated that the length of a person’s telomere may be associated with delayed aging. A shorter telomere could result in a faster aging process compared to one that is longer in length.

Data from 6,500 American participants, aged 20 to 84, were asked a series of broad, exercise-related questions with each answer earning a point. Questions included whether the participant had performed weight-training, walking, running or riding a bike in the previous month.

The study found that for each successive point gained, a participant was less likely to have a short telomere. The results were most apparent among people aged 40 to 65. So if you’ve never been active, starting at a middle age has its benefits.