Differential effects of endurance, interval, and resistance training on telomerase activity and telomere length in a randomized, controlled study

Abstract

AimsIt is unknown whether different training modalities exert differential cellular effects. Telomeres and telomere-associated proteins play a major role in cellular aging with implications for global health. This prospective training study examines the effects of endurance training, interval training (IT), and resistance training (RT) on telomerase activity and telomere length (TL).Methods and resultsOne hundred and twenty-four healthy previously inactive individuals completed the 6 months study. Participants were randomized to three different interventions or the control condition (no change in lifestyle): aerobic endurance training (AET, continuous running), high-intensive IT (4 × 4 method), or RT (circle training on 8 devices), each intervention consisting of three 45 min training sessions per week. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was increased by all three training modalities. Telomerase activity in blood mononuclear cells was up-regulated by two- to three-fold in both endurance exercise groups (AET, IT), but not with RT. In parallel, lymphocyte, granulocyte, and leucocyte TL increased in the endurance-trained groups but not in the RT group. Magnet-activated cell sorting with telomerase repeat-ampliflication protocol (MACS-TRAP) assays revealed that a single bout of endurance training—but not RT—acutely increased telomerase activity in CD14+ and in CD34+ leucocytes.Conclusion This randomized controlled trial shows that endurance training, IT, and RT protocols induce specific cellular pathways in circulating leucocytes. Endurance training and IT, but not RT, increased telomerase activity and TL which are important for cellular senescence, regenerative capacity, and thus, healthy aging.

Diet, Lifestyle, Smoking

“…Regular physical activity or endurance exercise training can positively alter the human gut microbiota by increasing bacterial diversity, increasing faecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids and increasing the proportion of healthy bacterial species (Allen et al 2018;Bressa et al 2017;Estaki et al 2016). A recent study on endurance training has shown that exercise increases telomerase activity and length, whereas resistance training did not show these effects (Werner et al 2019). Ideally, a combination of resistance and endurance training should be implemented (Reiner et al 2019).…”

The impact of telomere shortening on human hippocampal neurogenesis: Implications for cognitive function and psychiatric disorder risk

“…Our results also suggest that environmental factors with the potential to prevent premature telomere shortening may have positive influences on hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function. Intriguingly, environmental interventions shown to reduce the rate of cognitive ageing (80), including exercise and energy restriction, have positive effects on both peripheral telomere length in humans (15,81,82) and hippocampal neurogenesis in animal models (83,84). Furthermore, diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, have been associated with both increased rates of hippocampal neurogenesis and longer telomeres (32,85,86), as have some drugs, such as resveratrol and lithium (14,(87)(88)(89).…”

Zum Gesundheitszustand Hochschulbeschäftigter im Altersgang am Beispiel aerober Ausdauerleistungsfähigkeit und der Einfluss sportlicher Aktivität

“…Daneben führt sportliche Aktivität zu einer höheren Blutverteilung in der arbeitenden Muskulatur, der transportierte Sauerstoff in den Arterien wird ökonomischer genutzt und die Herzfrequenz bei Belastung und in Ruhe herabgesetzt [3]. Auf zellulärer Ebene konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Telomeraseaktivität mit einem regelmäßig durchgeführten Ausdauertraining steigt und damit die Zellalterung verlangsamt [21]. Sportlich Aktive profitieren insgesamt von einem 30 % niedrigeren Gesamtsterblichkeitsrisiko im Vergleich zu sportlich Inaktiven [22].…”