Like any other physical activity, it has a protective effect against cardiovascular disease and cancer. But what are the biological mechanisms at work?
Brisk walking has long been recognized as a health-promoting activity. But how exactly does it work? According to a British study, this vigorous exercise will have a rejuvenating effect, which will prolong life expectancy in good health. Explanation.
Walking is good for health. It is a physical activity and – not an insignificant fact – it is accessible to many people. “(This exercise) made it possible to work out the joints, muscles, tendons, as well as the cardiorespiratory system”, recalls the Quebec professional order of physiotherapy.
A British team from the University of Leicester studied the genetic data of more than 400,000 participants in the UK Biobank. Thus they can compare the state of their chromosomes, and more specifically of their telomeres, with their walking habits.
Maintain telomere length at a fast pace
Telomeres are DNA sequences located at the ends of chromosomes and are meant to maintain the integrity of our genetic inheritance. These elements wear out non-stop. Indeed, every time “a cell copies its DNA before dividing, it loses a tiny piece of telomere, like a photocopier cutting through the margins of an original,” explains Inserm. “So much so that this protection eventually wears out… The cell then stops dividing and functions normally. Researchers are talking about worn out cells.” And this phenomenon contributes to the aging of the organism. This is why telomere length according to scientists is a strong marker of biological age.
10 minutes a day
Researchers at the University of Leicester found in their work that participants who used to walk briskly every day had longer telomeres. At the same age. According to their estimates, “the fast-paced life can make you 16 years younger – biologically – in your forties”. So walking is rejuvenating! And there’s also no need to walk for hours: “just 10 minutes a day will be associated with a longer life expectancy”. So on the road!
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