Movement is Medicine: increasing awareness of the healthy aging prescription by Holly Botsford

The health benefits of exercise have been heavily researched, prominently and widely documented, and broadly disseminated. Of all the benefits, however, one key advantage is a clear fit for older adults: Age-related changes can be reversed or slowed through exercise.

The research is conclusive. In a study led by Lynn F. Cherkas, PhD, of King’s College London, telomeres (aging indicators that shorten with aging) were investigated in 2,401 pairs of healthy twins. The research revealed that physical activity correlated with increased telomere length, which equals increased longevity.