Regular physical activity can slow biological aging in people with type 2 diabetes, a new study has revealed.
The research set out to assess how different patterns of physical activity affects biological aging in those with the condition.
The researchers found that regular, moderate physical activity “significantly reduces” aging in those with type 2 diabetes, and the best results were seen just below an average of 594 minutes of physical activity a week.
Type 2 diabetes can speed up biological aging due to cell damage, through processes including inflammation.
Those with the condition also experience rapid decline in pancreatic function, muscle mass, and muscle strength, believed to down to factors such as damage to DNA and proteins.
Lifestyle factors are known to play a key role in biological aging, with research showing that physical activity can slow aging considerably.
The authors said the study reveals “the significant role of regular leisure-time physical activity in mitigating biological aging in this population.
“Additionally, the gender-specific analysis further emphasised the universal effectiveness of moderate and regular physical activity in delaying biological aging.
“This study has important public health implications, highlighting the promotion of moderate and regular physical activity as an effective strategy to delay biological aging in type 2 diabetes patients.”
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The study used data from more than 4,000 adults in US, with the group divided into four categories according to their level of physical activity: inactive, insufficiently active, ‘weekend warrior’, and highly active.
Researchers found variations in biological aging linked to levels of physical activity.
Those people who did not regularly undertake physical activity had significantly higher aging values, while the ‘weekend warrior’ approach did not bring about significant anti-aging benefits.
For men, just below 677 minutes of weekly physical activity was found to be optimal for slowing aging, but any more did not bring any benefits. For women, the figure was 502 minutes per week.
Read more in Scientific Reports.
