Research suggests that person can slow aging process by exercising regularly

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.