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Altulea A, Rutten MGS, Verdijk LB, Demaria M. Sport and longevity: an observational study of international athletes. GeroScience 2024:10.1007/s11357-024-01307-9. [PMID: 39129051 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01307-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The human lifespan is influenced by various factors, with physical activity being a significant contributor. Despite the clear benefit of exercise on health and longevity, the association between different types of sports and lifespan is yet to be considered. Accordingly, we aimed to study this association in a large international cohort of former athletes using a robust linear regression model. We collected data on athletes from public sources, accumulating a total of 95,210 observations, 95.5% of which were accounted for by males. The dataset represented athletes born between 1862 and 2002 from 183 countries across 44 sports disciplines. We calculated the change in lifespan by measuring the difference in age between athletes and the corresponding reference populations, while accounting for variations caused by sex, year of death, and country. The results revealed that various sports impacted lifespan differently, with male athletes being more likely to experience benefits from sports than female athletes. Among male athletes, pole vaulting and gymnastics were linked to the highest extension in lifespan (8.4 years, 95% CI [6.8, 9.9] and 8.2 years, 95% CI [7.4, 9], respectively), while volleyball and sumo wrestling were the most negatively associated with lifespan (- 5.4 years, 95% CI [- 7, - 3.8]; - 9.8 years, 95% CI [- 11, - 8.6], respectively). The association between lifespan and popular team sports in males was positive for cricket, rowing, baseball, water polo, Australian rules, hurling, lacrosse, field hockey, minimal for rugby, canoeing and kayaking, basketball, gridiron football, and football (soccer), and negative for handball and volleyball. Racquet sports (i.e., tennis and badminton) exhibited a consistent and positive association in both male and female athletes, as shown by an extended lifespan of up to 5.7 years in males (95% CI [5, 6.5]) and 2.8 years in females (95% CI [1.8, 3.9]). Although lacking conclusive evidence, we theorize that the observed results may be attributed to the aerobic and anaerobic characteristics of each sport, with mixed sports yielding the maximum benefits for the lifespan. While results from female athletes should be cautiously interpreted, our study highlights the complex interplay between sports and lifespan and contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the multifaceted relationship between physical activity and human longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Altulea
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen (RUG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn G S Rutten
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen (RUG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lex B Verdijk
- Department of Human Biology, NUTRIM Institute for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Demaria
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen (RUG), Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Sardeli AV, Mori MA, Lord JM. Effect of Exercise on Acute Senescent Lymphocyte Counts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Gerontology 2022; 68:961-975. [PMID: 35034018 DOI: 10.1159/000520528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Highly differentiated, senescent lymphocytes are pro-inflammatory and contribute to age-related systemic inflammation, called inflammageing. There are several reports of acute changes in senescent lymphocyte counts post exercise, which potentially have consequences for systemic inflammation. However, there is little consensus since the studies differ with respect to participants, exercise protocols, cellular markers assessed, and the time point of assessment post exercise. OBJECTIVE We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of exercise on senescent lymphocyte counts in blood immediately, 1 h and 2 h post exercise. METHODS The search was performed in PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane, on January 11, 2021. The 13 studies selected tested aerobic exercise effects, mainly in young men. They assessed the counts of lymphocytes (CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, and NK cells), with the following immune cell marker combinations: KLRG1+, CD57+ (only NK cells), EMRA T cells (CD45RA+CCR7-CD28-CD27-), CD28-CD27-, KLRG1+CD28-, and CD28-. Independent extraction of articles was done by 2 researchers. RESULTS Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval between baseline and post exercise showed significant increase (SMD >0.9, p < 0.003) in all types of senescent lymphocytes counts immediately post exercise. At 1 h post exercise, senescent CD4 T cells returned to baseline values (p = 0.74), CD8 T cells were reduced (-0.26 [-0.41; -0.11], p = 0.001), and senescent NK cells were raised (0.62 [0.14; 1.10], p = 0.01) above baseline. By 2 h post exercise, senescent CD4 T cells were reduced (-0.94 [-1.40; -0.48], p < 0.001), CD8 T cells remained below baseline (-0.53 [-1.04; -0.009], p = 0.04), and NK cells had returned to baseline values (-0.29 [-0.64; 0.07], p = 0.11). The main determinants of heterogeneity between studies were cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus and the characteristics of exercise protocols. CMV+ individuals had a higher immediate lymphocytosis and 1 h post lymphopenia than CMV- individuals. Exercise performed at higher intensities and shorter durations led to higher magnitude of change in senescent lymphocyte counts at all time-points. CONCLUSION The differing effects of exercise on senescent NK cells and CD4 and CD8 T cells suggest differing susceptibility to factors modulating lymphocyte extravasation such as adrenaline and exercise intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Veiga Sardeli
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Birmingham and University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Laboratory of Exercise Physiology (FISEX), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Marcelo A Mori
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.,Experimental Medicine Research Cluster, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.,Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Janet M Lord
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Birmingham and University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Denham J, Sellami M. Exercise training increases telomerase reverse transcriptase gene expression and telomerase activity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 70:101411. [PMID: 34284150 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres protect genomic stability and shortening is one of the hallmarks of ageing. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is the major protein component of telomerase, which elongates telomeres. Given that short telomeres are linked to a host of chronic diseases and the therapeutic potential of telomerase-based therapies as treatments and a strategy to extend lifespan, lifestyle factors that increase TERT gene expression and telomerase activity could attenuate telomere attrition and contribute to healthy biological ageing. Physical activity and maximal aerobic fitness are associated with telomere maintenance, yet the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify the influence of a single bout of exercise and long-term exercise training on TERT expression and telomerase activity. A search of human and rodent trials using the PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Embase databases was performed. Based on findings from the identified and eligible trials, both a single bout of exercise (n; standardised mean difference [95%CI]: 5; SMD: 1.19 [0.41-1.97], p = 0.003) and long-term exercise training (10; 0.31 [0.03-0.60], p = 0.03) up-regulates TERT and telomerase activity in non-cancerous somatic cells. As human and rodent studies were included in the meta-analyses both exhibited heterogeneity (I2 = 55-87%, p < 0.05). Endurance athletes also exhibited increased leukocyte TERT and telomerase activity compared to their inactive counterparts. These findings suggest exercise training as an inexpensive lifestyle factor that increases TERT expression and telomerase activity. Regular exercise training could attenuate telomere attrition through a telomerase-dependent mechanism and ultimately extend health-span and longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Denham
- RMIT University, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Maha Sellami
- Physical Education Department (PE), College of Education, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Age and Sport Intensity-Dependent Changes in Cytokines and Telomere Length in Elite Athletes. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10071035. [PMID: 34203235 PMCID: PMC8300746 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10071035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Exercise-associated immune response plays a crucial role in the aging process. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of sport intensity on cytokine levels, oxidative stress markers and telomere length in aging elite athletes. In this study, 80 blood samples from consenting elite athletes were collected for anti-doping analysis at an anti-doping laboratory in Italy (FMSI). Participants were divided into three groups according to their sport intensity: low-intensity skills and power sports (LI, n = 18); moderate-intensity mixed soccer players (MI, n = 31); and high-intensity endurance sports (HI, n = 31). Participants were also divided into two age groups: less than 25 (n = 45) and above 25 years old (n = 35). Serum levels of 10 pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines and two antioxidant enzymes were compared in age and sport intensity groups and telomere lengths were measured in their respective blood samples. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was the only cytokine showing significantly higher concentration in older athletes, regardless of sport intensity. Interleukin (IL)-10 increased significantly in HI regardless of age group, whereas IL-6 concentration was higher in the older HI athletes. IL-8 showed a significant interaction with sport intensity in different age groups. Overall, significant positive correlations among levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-8 and TNF-α were identified. The antioxidant catalase activity was positively correlated with levels of TNF-α. Telomere length increased significantly with sport intensity, especially in the younger group. HI had longer telomeres and higher levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting less aging in HI compared to low and moderate counterparts in association with heightened immune response. Investigation of the functional significance of these associations on the health and performance of elite athletes is warranted.
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Valente C, Andrade R, Alvarez L, Rebelo-Marques A, Stamatakis E, Espregueira-Mendes J. Effect of physical activity and exercise on telomere length: Systematic review with meta-analysis. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:3285-3300. [PMID: 34161613 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare a physically active lifestyle or structured exercise program to physically inactive lifestyle or control groups on telomere length (TL). METHOD We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Open Gray databases up to March 31, 2020. We calculated standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of TL comparing physically active to physically inactive individuals and exercise intervention to control groups. Risk of bias was judged using the Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Studies (RoBANS) for physical activity (PA) studies and the Cochrane risk-of-bias (RoB2) for exercise intervention studies. Certainty of evidence was judged using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS We included 30 studies (24 assessing the effects of PA and 6 assessing the effects of exercise interventions) comprising 7418 individuals. Physically active individuals had longer telomeres (SMD = 0.70, 95% CI 0.12-1.28, very-low certainty), especially in middle-aged individuals (SMD = 0.90, 95% CI 0.08-1.72, very-low certainty) and when considering only athletes (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI 0.18-0.90, very-low certainty). Trim-and-fill analyses revealed that most of the pooled effects were overestimated. Exercise interventions did not yield any significant effect on TL. CONCLUSION There is very-low certainty that physically active individuals have longer telomeres with a moderate effect, but this effect is probably overestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Valente
- Clínica Do Dragão, Espregueira-Mendes Sports Centre - FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Porto, Portugal.,Dom Henrique Research Centre, Porto, Portugal
| | - Renato Andrade
- Clínica Do Dragão, Espregueira-Mendes Sports Centre - FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Porto, Portugal.,Dom Henrique Research Centre, Porto, Portugal.,Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luis Alvarez
- Dpto. Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain.,I3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IPATIMUP, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alexandre Rebelo-Marques
- Clínica Do Dragão, Espregueira-Mendes Sports Centre - FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Porto, Portugal.,Dom Henrique Research Centre, Porto, Portugal.,Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Emmanuel Stamatakis
- Charles Perkins Centre, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - João Espregueira-Mendes
- Clínica Do Dragão, Espregueira-Mendes Sports Centre - FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Porto, Portugal.,Dom Henrique Research Centre, Porto, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal.,3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal.,School of Medicine, Minho University, Braga, Portugal
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Aguiar SS, Sousa CV, Santos PA, Barbosa LP, Maciel LA, Coelho-Júnior HJ, Motta-Santos D, Rosa TS, Degens H, Simões HG. Master athletes have longer telomeres than age-matched non-athletes. A systematic review, meta-analysis and discussion of possible mechanisms. Exp Gerontol 2020; 146:111212. [PMID: 33387607 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.111212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was 1) to assess whether master athletes have longer telomeres than age-matched non-athletes and 2) discuss possible underlying mechanisms underlying telomere length preservation in master athletes. A literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and SPORTDiscus up to August 2020. Only original articles published in peer-reviewed journals that compared telomere length between master athletes and aged-matched non-athletes were included. Eleven studies fulfilled eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. Overall, 240 master athletes (51.9±7.5 years) and 209 age-matched non-athletes (50.1±9.1 years) were analyzed. Master athletes had been participating in high-level competitions for approximately 16.6 years. Pooled analyses revealed that master athletes had longer telomeres than aged-matched non-athletes (SMD=0.89; 95% CI=0.45 to 1.33; p<0.001). Master athletes showed lower pro-oxidant damage (SMD=0.59; 95% CI=0.26 to 0.91; p<0.001) and higher antioxidant capacity (SMD=-0.46; 95% CI=-0.89 to -0.03; p=0.04) than age-matched non-athletes. Further, greater telomere length in master athletes is associated with lower oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, and enhanced shelterin protein expression and telomerase activity. In conclusion, 1) master athletes have longer telomeres than age-matched non-athletes, which may be the result of 2) lower levels of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, and elevated shelterin expression and telomerase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel S Aguiar
- Graduate Program in Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil; Physical Education Department, University Center - UDF, DF, Brazil.
| | - Caio V Sousa
- Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Patrick A Santos
- Graduate Program in Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Lucas P Barbosa
- Graduate Program in Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Larissa A Maciel
- Graduate Program in Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Hélio J Coelho-Júnior
- Department of Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Daisy Motta-Santos
- School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Thiago S Rosa
- Graduate Program in Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Hans Degens
- Department of Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom; Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Herbert G Simões
- Graduate Program in Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil
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Mehrsafar AH, Serrano Rosa MA, Moghadam Zadeh A, Gazerani P. Stress, Professional Lifestyle, and Telomere Biology in Elite Athletes: A Growing Trend in Psychophysiology of Sport. Front Psychol 2020; 11:567214. [PMID: 33250812 PMCID: PMC7673416 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.567214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Professional lifestyle and championship period often put a great deal of pressure on athletes, who usually experience highly stressful periods during training for competitions. Recently, biomarkers of cellular aging, telomere length (TL) and telomerase activity (TA), have been considered to investigate the effects of stress and lifestyle factors. Studies in non-athletic populations have shown that stress and poor lifestyle decrease TL and TA. On the other hand, it has been shown that in general, exercise increases TL and its activity, although the underlying mechanisms remained largely unexplored. TL and TA outcomes in elite athletes remain inconclusive and mainly affected by confounding factors, such as age. Elite athletes, therefore, might offer a unique target group for studying exercise-telomere hypothesis for further investigation of the roles of stressors on telomere-related biomarkers. In this perspective, we highlight the potentials for studying these psychophysiological markers in elite athletes in order to understand stress-aging relationship and potential underlying mechanisms. Moreover, we present important methodological aspects that could help in the development of future experimental designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Hossien Mehrsafar
- Department of Sport Psychology, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Miguel Angel Serrano Rosa
- Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,Laboratory of Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ali Moghadam Zadeh
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Gazerani
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Sprint and endurance training in relation to redox balance, inflammatory status and biomarkers of aging in master athletes. Nitric Oxide 2020; 102:42-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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