It is well known that exercise has a plethora of health benefits. In addition to strengthening bones, regular exercise has been shown to boost the immune system, enhance sleep, and ward off age-related diseases, such as dementia.
While the research is conclusive that exercise halts and even reverses aging, the biological mechanisms behind the process are only beginning to be discovered. Whatâs more, there is scant research on which type of exercise impacts our bodies at the cellular level.
Today we share with you new research that addresses just that. Mayo Clinic scientists have discovered that exercise, and in particular high-intensity interval training (HIIT) applied to aerobic activities such as walking or swimming, encourages cells to produce more proteins to feed energy-producing mitochondria, thus halting the aging process at the cellular level.
Study Confirms The Effect of HIIT On Mitochondria
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic conducted a study that included 36 men and 36 women.1 The participants were split into two distinct age groups. While the âyoungâ group consisted of individuals aged 18 to 30 years old, the âolderâ group ranged in age between 65 to 80 years old. Then, the volunteers were randomized to one of three groups that would attend a 12-week supervised exercise program.
Study subjects in the first group performed high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a stationary bike three days a week, and two days walking on a moderately difficult treadmill, for a total of five days a week of exercise. A second group did upper and lower body strength training with weights four days a week. Finally, the third cohort combined both strength training and interval training, albeit less intense than the first group, five days per week.
In addition to measuring various aspects of each participantâs physiology, such as body mass index (BMI) and insulin sensitivity, the researchers took biopsies of the volunteerâs thigh muscles and compared them to a control group of sedentary volunteers.
The researchers discovered that while strength training was most effective at building muscle mass, high-intensity interval training had the most significant effect at the cellular level.
More specifically, the high-intensity interval training impacted the cellâs mitochondria. Mitochondria are organelles within a cell that are responsible for the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a source of energy our cells need to perform their functions. As the human body ages, the ability for the cells to generate energy naturally decreases.
The younger volunteers in the HITT group saw a 49% increase in mitochondrial capacity, and the older volunteers experienced a 69% increase. Essentially, the high-intensity interval exercises helped to reverse age-related decline in mitochondrial function. Further, high-intensity interval training also increased insulin sensitivity.
While it was clear that interval training was beneficial, this type of exercise provided such impressive benefits because it increases RNA production. This, in turn, increases cellular production of mitochondrial proteins, as well as the proteins responsible for muscle growth. Further, ribosomes, the key components in the synthesis of proteins, improved their ability to build mitochondrial proteins.
What Does Other Research Say About Aging and Exercise?
The Mayo Clinic study is the not the first of its kind to delve into the relationship between exercise and cellular aging. In a study of nearly 6,000 adults, researchers from Brigham and Young University found that adults with a high level of physical activity had cells that appeared nine years younger than their sedentary counterparts.2
The study found that exercise prevents the shortening of telomeres, the DNA that caps each end of a chromosome and protects it from damage. Telomeres, which naturally shorten as we age, are associated with our biological clocks. According to researchers, the shortest telomeres were found in individuals who were sedentary.
Is High-Intensity Interval Training As Complex As It Sounds?
There is no doubt that any amount or type exercise has positive effects on the body, but this latest study appears to point to one particular type of activity: High-intensity interval training or HIIT.
High-intensity interval training is all the rage these days, and HIIT classes are popping up at gyms everywhere. Now, before you are scared off by this complicated-sounding exercise, you should know that you may already be incorporating HIIT into your workout routine.HIIT involves alternating short bursts of intense aerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods.
The great thing about HIIT is that you can easily incorporate it into your everyday training practice. Take, for example, one of our favorite bone-building exercises here at the Save Institute: walking. By simply speed-walking for two minutes, followed by walking at a moderate pace for one minute, you are doing a HIIT workout. In a previous article, I explain how I often alternate running with walking, which is another way to reap the HIIT rewards.
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Till next time,
References:
1 Robinson MW, et al. âEnhanced Protein Translation Underlies Improved Metabolic and Physical Adaptations to Different Exercise Training Modes in Young and Old Humans.â Cell Metabolism, 3-7-2017. 25 (3): 581-592. Web: https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(17)30099-2
2 Tucker LA. âPhysical activity and telomere length in U.S. men and women: An NHANES investigationâ. Preventative Medicine. 2017. 100. 145-151. Web: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743517301470
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Hi Vivian! I just started reading your e mails and having started doing some of your excercises. I am Osteopenic and my mother has Osteoperoresis. I am 43 years old. Wanted to know how bad coffee and tea really are for your bones. thanks so much
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I purchased your program and following your advices accordingly especially choosing food. 80/20 concept is very helpful. I have gained some weight after menopause. Can I fast for 24hours or can I start the intermittent fasting ?? Will I cause damage to my bones?
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hi vivian i am 82 years old and i go to the gym four days a week i walk four miles a day i walk four laps backwords a day and then i do weight for about thirty minutes i think i get enough exercise dont you i love doing it everyone says i dont look my age bea
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Dear Bea,
What an inspiration to all. I am feeling exhausted just reading what you do each week. 82 and still going strong, good luck to you. One question though, how on earth do you walk backwards without running into something? Would be interested to know what nutrition you have, such as examples of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Could you possible respond here that is if you have time with your busy schedule LOL.
Keep on keeping on I am in awe.
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Would purchase your books in book form. Do not like to download that much information.
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Dear Vivan:
What fantastic information. Exercise that aids our bones and longevity! You always provide me with valuable information. I am so grateful. Thank you!
Your truly,
Linda
I requested the e-book “Stop the Bone Thiefs” ,but still have not received.