Author/Editor		Starc, V
Title		Beneficial physiological effects of physical activity in old age
Type		članek
Source		In: Šugman R, Pavlovič M, editors. "Šport - zdravje - starost". Zbornik Mednarodno znanstveno srečanje ob 100-letnici olimpionika Leona Štuklja; 1998 nov 11-14; Bled. Ljubljana: Fakulteta za šport,
Publication year		1998
Volume		str. 60-6
Language		eng
Abstract		Recent evidences suggest that increased physical activity may retard aging. For this purpose we analyzed phenomena that are currently taught to cause aging and identified the corresponding physiological variables. Then we reviewed the literature to find whether increased physical activity influence those variables to change in the same sense as to oppose aging. In addition, we checked the same variables for changes after caloric restriction, which is known to increase the life span in many species. We found that glucose and lipid metabolism were improved in both caloric restriction and increased physical activity, as manifested by lower resting blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Besides, evidences were found on increased secretion of growth factors and on the enhanced immune response. Finally, studies on increased physical activity show beneficial influence on health by reducing risk for coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke and late diabetes, and by attenuating decline in oxygen transport function, neuromuscular function and osteoporosis.
Descriptors		AGING PHYSICAL FITNESS EXERCISE HEALTH PROMOTION AGED REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES OXIDATIVE STRESS ANTIOXIDANTS GLYCOSYLATION GLYCOSYLATION END PRODUCTS, ADVANCED HYPERTENSION CORONARY DISEASE