Mediation role of telomere length in the relationship between physical activity and PhenoAge: A population-based study
Background: The relationship between physical activity (PA), telomere length, and phenotypic age (PhenoAge) represents a pivotal area of investigation in aging research. Methods: The study encompassed a cohort of 6200 participants aged 20 years and above, sourced from the National Health and Nutriti...
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| Format: | Article |
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Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1728869X25000176 |
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| author | Yanwei You Dizhi Wang Hao Ding Weizhao Wang Qiyu Liu Danyi Zhang Yuquan Chen Xindong Ma |
| author_facet | Yanwei You Dizhi Wang Hao Ding Weizhao Wang Qiyu Liu Danyi Zhang Yuquan Chen Xindong Ma |
| author_sort | Yanwei You |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The relationship between physical activity (PA), telomere length, and phenotypic age (PhenoAge) represents a pivotal area of investigation in aging research. Methods: The study encompassed a cohort of 6200 participants aged 20 years and above, sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Physical activity (PA) levels were assessed employing the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, while DNA samples were collected to determine telomere length, measured in base pairs. PhenoAge, an emerging aging index relying on nine distinct chemical biomarkers, was computed. Results: Incorporating a fully adjusted model, our analysis showed significant correlations between PA engagement and PhenoAge [Low PA, β (95 % CI): 0.039(-0.071,-0.008), p = 0.021; Moderate PA, β (95 % CI): 0.058(-0.082,-0.034), p < 0.001; High PA, β (95 % CI): 0.069(-0.096,-0.042), p < 0.001]. Furthermore, a positive link emerged between elevated PA levels and telomere length, with a β (95 % CI) of 0.011(0.001, 0.022), p = 0.034. A mediation analysis was performed, demonstrating that telomere length mediated the connection between PA and PhenoAge, with a proportion mediated calculated at 3.57 %. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PA may play a key role in mitigating aging processes by preserving telomere length, highlighting the potential of PA as a target for interventions aimed at promoting healthy aging and longevity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-db4079983a8144748fe6b9f4b79c8af1 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1728-869X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness |
| spelling | doaj-art-db4079983a8144748fe6b9f4b79c8af12025-07-05T04:46:48ZengElsevierJournal of Exercise Science & Fitness1728-869X2025-07-01233149156Mediation role of telomere length in the relationship between physical activity and PhenoAge: A population-based studyYanwei You0Dizhi Wang1Hao Ding2Weizhao Wang3Qiyu Liu4Danyi Zhang5Yuquan Chen6Xindong Ma7Division of Sports Science & Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, SingaporeDivision of Sports Science & Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, ChinaDivision of Sports Science & Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, ChinaDivision of Sports Science & Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Department of Physical Education, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Guangxi, 530200, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, ChinaSchool of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine Alfred Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, 3800, Australia; Corresponding author. Monash University, Victoria, 3800, Australia.Division of Sports Science & Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Corresponding author. Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.Background: The relationship between physical activity (PA), telomere length, and phenotypic age (PhenoAge) represents a pivotal area of investigation in aging research. Methods: The study encompassed a cohort of 6200 participants aged 20 years and above, sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Physical activity (PA) levels were assessed employing the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, while DNA samples were collected to determine telomere length, measured in base pairs. PhenoAge, an emerging aging index relying on nine distinct chemical biomarkers, was computed. Results: Incorporating a fully adjusted model, our analysis showed significant correlations between PA engagement and PhenoAge [Low PA, β (95 % CI): 0.039(-0.071,-0.008), p = 0.021; Moderate PA, β (95 % CI): 0.058(-0.082,-0.034), p < 0.001; High PA, β (95 % CI): 0.069(-0.096,-0.042), p < 0.001]. Furthermore, a positive link emerged between elevated PA levels and telomere length, with a β (95 % CI) of 0.011(0.001, 0.022), p = 0.034. A mediation analysis was performed, demonstrating that telomere length mediated the connection between PA and PhenoAge, with a proportion mediated calculated at 3.57 %. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PA may play a key role in mitigating aging processes by preserving telomere length, highlighting the potential of PA as a target for interventions aimed at promoting healthy aging and longevity.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1728869X25000176Physical activityTelomere lengthPhenotypic ageAgingMediation analysis |
| spellingShingle | Yanwei You Dizhi Wang Hao Ding Weizhao Wang Qiyu Liu Danyi Zhang Yuquan Chen Xindong Ma Mediation role of telomere length in the relationship between physical activity and PhenoAge: A population-based study Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness Physical activity Telomere length Phenotypic age Aging Mediation analysis |
| title | Mediation role of telomere length in the relationship between physical activity and PhenoAge: A population-based study |
| title_full | Mediation role of telomere length in the relationship between physical activity and PhenoAge: A population-based study |
| title_fullStr | Mediation role of telomere length in the relationship between physical activity and PhenoAge: A population-based study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mediation role of telomere length in the relationship between physical activity and PhenoAge: A population-based study |
| title_short | Mediation role of telomere length in the relationship between physical activity and PhenoAge: A population-based study |
| title_sort | mediation role of telomere length in the relationship between physical activity and phenoage a population based study |
| topic | Physical activity Telomere length Phenotypic age Aging Mediation analysis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1728869X25000176 |
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