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. 2025 Jul;23(3):149-156.
doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2025.03.004. Epub 2025 Mar 26.

Mediation role of telomere length in the relationship between physical activity and PhenoAge: A population-based study

Yanwei You  1   2   3 , Dizhi Wang  1   2 , Hao Ding  1   2 , Weizhao Wang  1   2   4 , Qiyu Liu  5 , Danyi Zhang  6 , Yuquan Chen  7 , Xindong Ma  1   2
Affiliations

Mediation role of telomere length in the relationship between physical activity and PhenoAge: A population-based study

Yanwei You et al. J Exerc Sci Fit. 2025 Jul.

Abstract

Background: The relationship between physical activity (PA), telomere length, and phenotypic age (PhenoAge) represents a pivotal area of investigation in aging research.

Methods: The study encompassed a cohort of 6200 participants aged 20 years and above, sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Physical activity (PA) levels were assessed employing the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, while DNA samples were collected to determine telomere length, measured in base pairs. PhenoAge, an emerging aging index relying on nine distinct chemical biomarkers, was computed.

Results: Incorporating a fully adjusted model, our analysis showed significant correlations between PA engagement and PhenoAge [Low PA, β (95 % CI): 0.039(-0.071,-0.008), p = 0.021; Moderate PA, β (95 % CI): 0.058(-0.082,-0.034), p < 0.001; High PA, β (95 % CI): 0.069(-0.096,-0.042), p < 0.001]. Furthermore, a positive link emerged between elevated PA levels and telomere length, with a β (95 % CI) of 0.011(0.001, 0.022), p = 0.034. A mediation analysis was performed, demonstrating that telomere length mediated the connection between PA and PhenoAge, with a proportion mediated calculated at 3.57 %.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PA may play a key role in mitigating aging processes by preserving telomere length, highlighting the potential of PA as a target for interventions aimed at promoting healthy aging and longevity.

Keywords: Aging; Mediation analysis; Phenotypic age; Physical activity; Telomere length.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Image 1
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study design and objective.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Path diagram of the mediation analysis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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