Older people who spend most of their days sitting down are likely to age faster, according to a new study.
Researchers found that elderly women who sit for over 10 hours a day and do less than 40 minutes of moderate exercise are eight years “biologically older”.
As cells age, tiny caps on the ends of DNA strands known as telomeres shrink, exposing the underlying chromosome to deterioration.
But some health and lifestyle factors accelerate the process, putting people at greater risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and major cancers.
“Our study found cells age faster with a sedentary lifestyle. Chronological age doesn’t always match biological age,” said UC San Diego School of Medicine’s Aladdin Shadyab, PhD, lead author of the study.
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But the study, which researchers claim is the first to objectively measure how a sedentary lifestyle impacts the ageing biomarker, wasn’t all doom and gloom.
“We found that women who sat longer did not have shorter telomere length if they exercised for at least 30 minutes a day, the national recommended guideline,” said Shadyab. “Discussions about the benefits of exercise should start when we are young, and physical activity should continue to be part of our daily lives as we get older, even at 80 years old.”
Nearly 1,500 women, aged 64-95, took part in the study, which was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. The researchers are now planning future studies to examine the impact of exercise on telomere length in young populations and in men.
10 Tips For Healthy Ageing
10 Tips For Healthy Ageing
Exercise(01 of10)
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As well as the physical benefits, regular exercise has positive effects on your brain. (credit:ferrantraite via Getty Images)
Stop Smoking(02 of10)
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It’s bad for your body and your brain. (credit:Yagi Studio via Getty Images)
Attend Regular Health Checks(03 of10)
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Make use of health checks on offer: contact your GP surgery for information. (credit:Hero Images via Getty Images)
Be Sociable(04 of10)
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Avoid the harmful effects of loneliness by keeping up your social contacts. (credit:Thomas Barwick via Getty Images)
Eat & Drink Well(05 of10)
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Adopt a Mediterranean diet or similar which is rich in nuts, whole grains and fruit, vegetables and oily fish, alcohol in moderation. (credit:Chris Gramly via Getty Images)
Manage Stress(06 of10)
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Keep your stress levels and your blood pressure down. (credit:Muriel de Seze via Getty Images)
Rest(07 of10)
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Get enough sleep. Most experts suggest about eight hours a night. (credit:BreBa via Getty Images)
Challenge Yourself(08 of10)
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Keep your brain active and challenge yourself: through work or volunteering. People in jobs that demand complex dealings with people or data are more likely to stay mentally sharp in later life (credit:LarsHallstrom via Getty Images)
Learn A Language(09 of10)
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People who speak more than one language are more likely to stay sharp in old age. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Love Later Life(10 of10)
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A positive attitude towards growing older can increase your life expectancy by up to seven and a half years. (credit:Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images)