Aerobic exercise lengthens telomeres and reduces stress in family caregivers: A randomized controlled trial - Curt Richter Award Paper 2018.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 30266522 · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.08.002
What was done
A 24-week randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of aerobic exercise on cellular aging markers in 68 sedentary, high-stress community-dwelling dementia caregivers. Participants were randomly assigned to a supervised aerobic exercise intervention (~40 minutes, 3–5 times per week, tracked via actigraphy) or a waitlist control group. The primary outcome was peripheral blood mononuclear cell telomerase activity, and the secondary outcome was average leukocyte telomere length, measured pre- and post-intervention by blinded staff. Body mass index (BMI), perceived stress, and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) were also assessed.
What was found
Adherence to at least 120 minutes per week of aerobic exercise was 81%. Groups showed no statistically significant difference in telomerase activity changes over time. However, the exercise group experienced a statistically significant increase in leukocyte telomere length compared to controls (net difference of 67.3 base pairs; 95% CI, 3.1 to 131.5). Exercising caregivers also had significant reductions in BMI and perceived stress, as well as significant increases in VO2peak compared to waitlist controls.
Why it matters
The study shows that structured aerobic exercise can reverse or mitigate markers of cellular aging and psychological stress in chronically stressed caregivers, a population vulnerable to accelerated aging.
Limits
The sample size was small (n = 68), limiting statistical power. The use of a passive waitlist control rather than an active control group complicates interpretation of behavioral and stress outcomes. The mechanism for telomere lengthening remains unclear because the primary outcome of telomerase activity showed no significant change, and durability beyond 24 weeks was not assessed.
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