Zsolt Radák: Olympic champions exhibit slower epigenetic aging

According to a study published by Professor Zsolt Radák and his colleagues in Springer Nature Link, Olympic champions exhibit slower epigenetic aging than non-elite athletes.

Professor Zsolt Radák, the university’s Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation, and his colleagues, Csaba Kerepesi and Iván Fejes published an article titled „Slowed epigenetic aging in Olympic champions compared to non-champions” in Springer Nature Link. It states that olympic champions exhibit slower epigenetic aging than non-elite athletes.

The lifestyle patterns of top athletes are highly disciplined, featuring strict exercise regimens, nutrition plans, and mental preparation, often beginning at a young age. Recently, it was shown that physically active individuals exhibit slowed epigenetic aging and better age-related outcomes.

The researchers investigated whether the extreme intensity of physical activity of Olympic champions still has a beneficial effect on epigenetic aging. To test this hypothesis, they examined the epigenetic aging of 59 Hungarian Olympic champions and of the 332 control subjects, 205 were master rowers.

It was observed that Olympic champions exhibit slower epigenetic aging, applying seven state-of-the-art epigenetic aging clocks. Additionally, male champions who won any medal within the last 10 years showed slower epigenetic aging compared to other male champions, while female champions exhibited the opposite trend.

It was also found that wrestlers had higher age acceleration compared to gymnasts, fencers, and water polo players. The researchers identified the top 20 genes that showed the most remarkable difference in promoter methylation between Olympic champions and non-champions. The hypo-methylated genes are involved in synaptic health, glycosylation, metal ion membrane transfer, and force generation. Most of the hyper-methylated genes were associated with cancer promotion.

The data suggest that rigorous and long-term exercise from adolescence to adulthood has beneficial effects on epigenetic aging.

Tags: publication,Zsolt Radák,aging

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