Dear Exal,

This recent review by Arsenis et al. gives a good overview:

Arsenis NC, You T, Ogawa EF, Tinsley GM, Zuo L. Physical activity and telomere length: Impact of aging and potential mechanisms of action. Oncotarget 2017;8(27):45008-45019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5546536/pdf/oncotarget-08-45008.pdf

Best wishes from Germany,

Martin

Here's another recent study on the question:

Shadyab AH, LaMonte MJ, Kooperberg C, Reiner AP, Carty CL, Manini TM, Hou L, Di C, Macera CA, Gallo LC, Shaffer RA, Jain S, LaCroix AZ. Leisure-time physical activity and leukocyte telomere length among older women. Exp Gerontol 2017;95:141-147. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5530759/pdf/nihms881366.pdf

Friedenreich CM, Wang Q, Ting NS, Brenner DR, Conroy SM, McIntyre JB, Mickle A, Courneya KS, Beattie T. Effect of a 12-month exercise intervention on leukocyte telomere length: Results from the ALPHA Trial. Cancer Epidemiol 2018;56:67-74. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2018.07.012. [Epub ahead of print]. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877782118303783?via%3Dihub

I don't know the answer. However, if exercise is a component of well being and overall health. My sense it would lengthen the telomere.

Hi everybody,

If telomere length is positively influenced by healthy living, it implies that besides physical activity, diets also play greater roles in controlling oxidative stress and telomere tength. Balanced diets full of colored vegetables & fruits (polyphenols) and limiting carbs with avoidance of simple sugars, and processed foods help reduce oxidative stress, to encourage mitogenesis and telomere lengthening.