Endurance sports may be more beneficial for healthy ageing than resistance training, researchers report today.
Published in the European Heart Journal today (28 November), the work examined the cellular effects of different types of training.
The researchers, led by Professor Ulrich Laufs, of Leipzig University, Germany, explain that telomeres and their associated proteins play a major role in cellular ageing.
They studied the effects of endurance training (continuous running), interval training (warm-up, followed by four bouts of high intensity running alternating with slower running, and then a final cool down of slower running), and resistance training (circuit training on eight machines, including back extension, crunch, pulldown, seated rowing, seated leg curl and extension, seated chest press and lying leg press) in 124 healthy previously-inactive people over six months.
Each did three 45 minute training sessions per week and had their maximum oxygen uptake measured.
Oxygen uptake increased with all three types of training, as did telomere protein activity except in the in the resistance training group.
Telomere length in lymphocytes, granulocytes and leucocytes were also increased in both the endurance-trained groups but not in the resistance training group.
The researchers conclude: "This randomised controlled trial shows that endurance training, interval training, and resistance training protocols induce specific cellular pathways in circulating leucocytes.
"Endurance training and interval training, but not resistance training increased telomerase activity and telomere length which are important for cellular senescence, regenerative capacity, and thus, healthy aging."
Werner, C. M. et al. Differential effects of endurance, interval and resistance training on telomerase activity and telomere length in a randomized, controlled study. European Heart Journal 28 November 2018; doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehy585
https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehy585
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