Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Language

English

Publication Date

4-1-2025

Journal

Mechanisms of Ageing and Development

DOI

10.1016/j.mad.2025.112042

PMID

39983997

PMCID

PMC11957325

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

4-1-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Telomere length (TL) is a biomarker of cellular aging with variations observed by sex, age, race, and ethnicity. Prior studies have suggested that physical activity (PA) may positively impact TL by potentially elongating telomeres and slowing cellular aging. However, research examining the optimal type and intensity of PA needed to elicit these changes specific to women remains limited. This systematic review aimed to investigate variations in TL in response to PA among women, exploring how these effects differ by age, race, or ethnicity. Following PRISMA guidelines, searches across five databases identified 17 relevant studies published from 2008 to 2022. A narrative synthesis of study findings indicated PA did not have a significant relationship with TL in women. However, a possible positive relationship was noted between specific types of PA and TL, specific to combined aerobic and strength-training PA and high intensity interval training interventions. The impact of PA on TL appeared to be age-dependent as well, showing significant positive relationships between PA and TL in early and later adulthood but not in middle adulthood. Findings related to race or ethnicity were inconclusive due to limited analyses from the included studies. The studies varied greatly by PA type, intensity, duration, and frequency, which, along with the reliance on self-reported PA measures in the observational studies, impacted the ability to draw firm conclusions. This review underscores the necessity for future research in large cohort studies using objectively measured PA interventions to further clarify the complex associations between PA and TL in women.

Keywords

Humans, Exercise, Female, Telomere Homeostasis, Telomere, Aging, Middle Aged, Physical activity, Exercise, Women, Female, Telomere length, Aging

Published Open-Access

yes

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