Research
Mixed
Exercise provides an anti-ageing effect by preventing telomere shortening and modifying DNA methylation patterns, which may mitigate age-related bone loss and osteoporosis.
Engage in regular exercise, especially after age 40, not just for muscle or weight, but for cellular health. This helps protect your telomeres and DNA methylation patterns, which are linked to how fast your body ages and your risk of bone diseases.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Recent work on human ageing and epigenetics suggests that undertaking exercise after the fourth decade of life is still important, given the anti-ageing effect and health benefits provided, potentially occurring via a delay in telomere shortening and modification of DNA methylation patterns associated with ageing.
Why this rating
The paper cites longitudinal studies and epidemiological data, but notes that cellular mechanisms are still under investigation.
Source
Exercise and bone health across the lifespan
Lívia Santos et al. · Biogerontology · 2017
DOI 10.1007/s10522-017-9732-6
narrative_reviewCited 238×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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