How To Run Yourself Younger
A running habit may actually hold back the years
A REGULAR RUNNING HABIT CAN certainly make you feel younger, but a new study from the University of Mississippi, US, suggests it can actually slow the ageing process. The research looked at leukocyte telomeres, Dna-protein structures within our cells that typically shorten as we age. A shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is not just a sign of cellular ageing – it’s also associated with all causes of mortality and cardiovascular disease. However, when the researchers assessed LTL in participants meeting physical activity guidelines through one of nine different modes of exercise (including walking, swimming, cycling and weight training) runners were the only group with significantly longer LTLS. It’s not yet known how running exerts its Dorian Gray effect – but if staying youthful for even a little longer is another benefit of lacing up, we’ll take it.