Ageless Mice

Daily aerobic exercise, such as walking, produces a variety of health benefits.  Slightly more intense exercise, such as easy running, may also be of benefit.  This study researched mice who engaged in easy running (60% of VO2max or less) for 60 minutes a day five days a week.

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of habitual exercise on aging.  The authors noted that the exercising mice "exhibited a reversion of all the observed aging effects on intestinal, skeletal, and heart muscles".  The exercise also prevented the progression of lipid oxidation and sarcopenia.

Would the same type of exercise program have similar effects in humans?  Studies of long-term endurance runners usually show they are in good health, but more research on this is needed.  However, this study shows the power of exercise in delaying aging.