Journal of sport and health scienceDec 6, 2025

Exercise reduces key signs of aging: New insights

Longevity & Aging Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jun 27, 2026

Abstract

Essence

Regular exercise is presented as a broad modulator of biological hallmarks linked to aging.

Evidence

This review synthesizes evidence on physical activity across aging hallmarks including genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic change, proteostasis, macroautophagy, nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, senescence, extracellular matrix changes, stem cell exhaustion, communication, inflammation, dysbiosis, and psychosocial isolation.

Caveat

As a review, it summarizes proposed mechanisms and associations rather than testing a single exercise intervention or proving which pathways extend human healthspan.

Simplified

The number and proportion of individuals aged 60 years and older are steadily increasing. However, increased life expectancy is accompanied by a decline in functional capacity and a heightened risk of age-related diseases, ultimately leading to reduced quality of life. Interventions that support physiological function in later life and hence extend healthspan are therefore of considerable importance. Among these, regular physical exercise is strongly associated with numerous health benefits and is recognized as a key strategy for promoting healthy aging and extending healthspan. In this review, we highlight the impact of an active lifestyle, particularly regular physical activity, on the major hallmarks of aging. These include genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, impaired macroautophagy, deregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, changes in the extracellular matrix, stem cell exhaustion, altered intercellular communication, chronic inflammation, dysbiosis, and psychosocial isolation. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which exercise confers these benefits will aid in enhancing both physical and mental health in the elderly and in mitigating the onset of aging-associated diseases.