Research Says Regular Exercise May Slow Aging Process in Humans

Newswise — NEW ORLEANS, La. – New research by Canadian sports medicine physician Mark Tarnopolsky, MD, PhD, suggests that a person can slow the speed at which they age by exercising regularly. Dr. Tarnopolsky presented his research titled, “Exercise as a Countermeasure for Aging: From Mice to Humans” today at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM). Dr. Tarnopolsky discussed how regular exercise not only improves the quality of life but can also extend a person’s lifespan by up to five years. Additionally, his research suggests that older adults receive the most benefits when combining endurance exercise with resistance exercise.

Dr. Tarnopolsky is a professor and division head of Neuromuscular and Neurometabolic Disorders in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. He completed a PhD in Cell Biology and Metabolism in 2001, followed by five years of training in Internal Medicine, Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at McMaster University and the University of Rochester in New York. After accepting a faculty position at McMaster University in 1996, he has focused his practice predominately in the area of mitochondrial disease, muscle disorders (muscular dystrophy) and other neurometabolic disorders. Since 2010, Dr. Tarnopolsky holds a Chair in Neuromuscular Disorders from McMaster Children’s Hospital/Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. In addition, his laboratory publishes approximately 25 papers per year looking at mitochondrial and muscle function in patients, aging and in animal models of pediatric and adult neuromuscular and neurometabolic diseases. His clinical research focuses predominately on therapies for mitochondrial cytopathies; however, his group is also involved in clinical trials in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Friedreich’s ataxia and Pompe disease.

The meeting, called “Keep the Good Times Rolling: Staying Healthfully Fit,” will feature lectures and research addressing the most challenging topics in sports medicine today including overuse injuries and burnout in youth sports, post-concussion syndrome, international perspectives on challenging musculoskeletal injuries, obesity and more. Speakers include internationally renowned sports medicine physicians and researchers who will address what the sports medicine physician needs in order to keep patients healthy and active throughout their lifetimes. The conference program is available here: http://www.amssm.org/Content/pdf%20files/2014_AM-Brochure.pdf

Held at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, the meeting runs from Saturday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 9. Registration is required for admittance. Media interested in being credentialed for the 2014 AMSSM Annual Meeting or to schedule an interview with any of the meeting speakers, contact Jessica Torres-Sosa, AMSSM Communications Manager, at [email protected].

Media guidelines: http://www.amssm.org/Content/pdf%20files/MediaRoom_Guidelines.pdf

About the AMSSM: AMSSM is a multi-disciplinary organization of 2,500 sports medicine physicians dedicated to education, research, advocacy and the care of athletes of all ages. The majority of AMSSM members are primary care physicians with fellowship training and added qualification in sports medicine who then combine their practice of sports medicine with their primary specialty. AMSSM includes members who specialize solely in non-surgical sports medicine and serve as team physicians at the youth level, NCAA, NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, MLS and NHL, as well as with Olympic teams. By nature of their training and experience, sports medicine physicians are ideally suited to provide comprehensive medical care for athletes, sports teams or active individuals who are simply looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle. www.amssm.org ###