The Effect Of Long-Term Adherence To Physical Activity Recommendations In Midlife On Plasma Proteins Associated With Frailty In The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) Study
Many of us know that staying active is good for our health, but new research sheds light on a fascinating connection between consistent physical activity in middle age and the proteins circulating in our blood. While previous studies have often looked at short bursts of exercise or how activity levels relate to proteins at one specific time, this recent investigation focused on the long-term impact.
Researchers tracked nearly 15,000 middle-aged adults over approximately six years, examining how consistently meeting physical activity guidelines—at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous activity—affected 45 different plasma proteins previously associated with frailty. Frailty is a common condition in older adults characterized by weakness, reduced energy, and increased vulnerability to health problems.
What they found was compelling: individuals who consistently adhered to the recommended activity levels showed beneficial changes in the population levels of many of these frailty-associated proteins. The most significant improvements were observed in proteins crucial for the healthy functioning of the nervous system and those involved in inflammatory responses. This suggests that making physical activity a long-term habit in midlife could be a powerful strategy to reduce the risk of frailty by positively influencing these key biological markers.
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