Aerobic exercise, Telomere Length and COVID-19

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

Telomeres are at the terminal ends of the DNA. Telomeres function to protect the ends of the DNA. As people get older, the telomeres shorten. Once the telomeres get too short, the cells do not divide anymore, and no new cells are formed.

Short telomeres are associated with chronic diseases and ineffective immune responses. Both can lead to severe COVID-19.

In a prospective study, Short telomeres increase the risk of severe COVID-19. 70 patients had their telomeres tested as they were admitted to the hospital for COVID-19. Their telomeres were compared with 491 healthy volunteers as controls.

What they found is that the hospitalized COVID-19 patients have shorter telomeres compared to the healthy volunteers.

 Short telomeres were associated with a higher risk of critical disease, defined as admission to intensive care unit (ICU) or death without ICU.

The study also showed that.

lung tissues from patients with very short telomeres exhibit signs of senescence in structural and immune cells.

No one can stop time and chronological aging, but aerobic exercise can.

A randomized controlled trial that won the Curt Richter Award Paper award in 2018, Aerobic exercise lengthens telomeres and reduces stress in family caregivers, showed that 40 min of aerobic exercise 3-5 times per week for 24 weeks increased the length of the telomeres in the exercise group. (67.3 vs. 131.5 base pairs). A base pair is a measure of DNA/telomeres.

The aerobic group had reduced Body Mass Index (BMI), perceived stress, and increased cardiorespiratory fitness.

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Examples of aerobic exercises

  • Running
  • Walking
  • Dancing
  • Jump rope
  • Stair stepper
  • Swimming
  • Stationary Bike/Indoor cycling
  • Elliptical

Talk to your physician before starting an exercise program.

Knowledge about Covid-19 is rapidly evolving. Information may update as new studies are made. Stay current by subscribing. Feel free to share and like.

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Related:

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  6. Make that Game Winning Shot that at the Buzzer!
  7. How Does Exercise Prolong Life?
  8. The Benefits of Resistance Training
  9. The Surprising Benefits of Sweating
  10. The Good and Faithful Servant
  11. Effect of Short Term Exercise on Mortality
  12. What are Exerkines?

References:

Froidure A, Mahieu M, Hoton D, Laterre PF, Yombi JC, Koenig S, Ghaye B, Defour JP, Decottignies A. Short telomeres increase the risk of severe COVID-19. Aging (Albany NY). 2020 Oct 26;12(20):19911-19922. doi: 10.18632/aging.104097. Epub 2020 Oct 26. PMID: 33104521; PMCID: PMC7655194.

Puterman E, Weiss J, Lin J, Schilf S, Slusher AL, Johansen KL, Epel ES. Aerobic exercise lengthens telomeres and reduces stress in family caregivers: A randomized controlled trial – Curt Richter Award Paper 2018. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2018 Dec;98:245-252. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.08.002. Epub 2018 Aug 2. PMID: 30266522.

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