The epigenetic research led by Zsolt Radák reveals insightful results
April 9, 2026Magyar Testnevelési és Sporttudományi Egyetem

The secret to a long life is regular physical exercise – this is how you can simply summarize the findings of a unique study led by Professor Zsolt Radák, Director of the Research Centre for Molecular Exercise Science and Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation at Hungarian University of Sports Science (HUSS).

A large-scale study carried out at Hungarian University of Sports Science (HUSS) measured gold medal-winning Hungarian Olympic champions using epigenetic clocks.

It was revealed that their biological age is on average 6.7 years lower than their chronological age. Researchers also identified the 20 most important genes showing the most striking differences between Olympic champions and non-athletes – with the help of Steve Horvath’s epigenetic clock.

The study’s lead author, Professor Zsolt Radák, also explained that the “miracle” of exercise lies in the fact that during physical activity, the blood and oxygen supply to skeletal muscles can increase up to one hundred times the resting level. Blood flow to the heart and brain also increases, while that of visceral organs decreases significantly – exercise has a beneficial effect on all our organs.

Thus, elite sports are not only important in terms of performance and role models; elite athletes live longer with fewer illnesses, as physical activity leads to more favourable age-related outcomes.

Source, photo: Index

További oldalak

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