Body Awareness and Aerobic Exercise: Telomere Impact

Summary

Telomeres shorten with each replication cycle throughout cellular lifespan. While it is known that telomere length is age-dependent, numerous factors influencing telomere length have been identified. One such factor is the perception of stress created by the individual and their environment. It has been suggested that stress and depression can alter telomere structure by increasing pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study is to preserve healthy telomere structure by controlling stress levels. In this context, Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) exercises, known to be more effective than standard exercise approaches in reducing stress and depression, will be used as an alternative. There are no studies in the literature examining the effects of BBAT on epigenetic mechanisms. This study aims to contribute to the existing literature by comparing BBAT with aerobic exercise, which is recognized as one of the most effective exercise approaches for preserving telomere structure. Furthermore, the hypothesis that telomere length changes, observed over a long period in previous studies, can be achieved in a shorter time through BBAT-an approach known to be more effective in stress management based on mind-body principles-represents one of the unique aspects of this research. The study aims to provide valuable insights into identifying the most effective exercise approaches for influencing telomere length changes

Conditions

• Exercise

Interventions

OTHER

exercise (Basic Body Awareness Therapy

Body Awareness Therapy is a patient-centered physiotherapy approach that also includes mental health, focusing on movement awareness training. This therapy primarily consists of exercises aimed at improving postural disorders, balance, and muscle tension. It aims to help individuals experience and accept bodily responses while increasing coping strategies. The therapy includes body scanning, integration of sound and movement, stretching exercises, and exercises focusing on body alignment and midline orientation. Floor exercises: body scanning, stretching, strength accumulation, sound resonance. Seated exercises: body alignment, trunk rotation, head and neck movements. Standing exercises: support surface perception, midline elevation and lowering, bilateral arm movements, rotation, one-legged balance, voice exercises, and group movements.

OTHER

exercise (aerobic exercise)

The continuous exercise protocol specified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) will be applied under supervision on a treadmill. The exercise duration will follow ACSM recommendations, starting at 30 minutes in the first week and increasing to 45 minutes by the 12th week. Exercise intensity will be assessed using the target heart rate method (220 - age). The intensity of aerobic exercise will be set at a moderate level (64-77% HRmax), according to ACSM guidelines. During exercise, heart rate will be monitored through a heart rate monitoring device. A 5-minute warm-up and a 5-minute cool-down exercise will be performed before and after each session, with an intensity of 50-60% of the maximum heart rate.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Suleyman Demirel University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mert Usta, RA · https://w3.sdu.edu.tr/personel/06713

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-01-01

Primary Completion

2023-06-01

Completion

2024-11-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations