Clinical trial NCT06732934: Body Awareness and Aerobic Exercise: Telomere Impact
Official title: The Effect of Basic Body Awareness Therapy and Aerobic Exercise Approaches on Telomere Length in Young Individuals
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Exercise
Keywords: aerobic exercise
basic body awareness therapy
telomere lenght
Lead sponsor: Suleyman Demirel University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-12-13
Enrollment: 45
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 30
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: In this study, a parallel group design is used, where participants are randomly assigned to one of three independent groups:

Basic Body Awareness Therapy Group Aerobic Exercise Group Control Group Each group receives a different intervention (body awareness therapy, aerobic exercise, or no intervention for the control group) and is observed over the study period. The study aims to compare the effects of body awareness therapy and aerobic exercise on telomere length in young individuals. The control group serves to assess the natural variation in telomere length without any intervention. This design allows for a clear comparison of the outcomes between the different groups, ensuring that any observed effects can be attributed to the specific intervention each group received.

In summary, each group follows its own intervention pathway independently, and the results from each group are analyzed to understand the impact on telomere length.
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief 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

Detailed description: Telomeres are specialized regions located at the ends of chromosomes that allow chromosomal replication. In most human somatic cells, telomeres naturally shorten with each successive cell division. While telomere shortening is known to be age-dependent, numerous internal and external factors that influence telomere length have been identified. Genetic factors, such as DNA methylation, contribute to internal factors, while external factors include lifestyle practices, such as diet and exercise, that induce epigenetic changes and facilitate genomic regulation.

High levels of stress are associated with shorter telomere length, as stressors can disrupt telomere structure through a series of chemical reactions. Consequently, lifestyle changes or interventions that reduce stress levels have been widely explored. The common focus of these studies involves factors that protect telomeres and regulate telomerase activity. This study aims to preserve healthy telomere structure by controlling stress levels.

Stressors change with age, and emotional distress, interpersonal rejection, financial concerns, and feelings of social exclusion in younger individuals are known to elevate stress levels. Additionally, younger individuals' psychological responses to stress tend to be more intense. This can directly affect emotional responses, behavioral coping, emotional regulation, and rumination. Since the core of stress lies in human perception and evaluation of experiences, how an individual interprets, assesses, and responds to these experiences becomes critical in stress management. Therefore, this study adopts an approach that addresses these factors for stress management.

Studies on telomere length changes associated with physical activity and exercise suggest that more active individuals tend to have longer telomeres. However, moderate activity levels have been associated with longer telomeres compared to inactive or excessively active individuals. Woo et al. did not find a difference in telomere length between inactive and active individuals, but their study focused on elderly populations.

Research on stress levels and telomere length has shown that individuals with lower stress levels tend to have longer telomeres. Likewise, meditation practices are reported to regulate psychological mediators by enhancing telomerase activity in immune cells. Blackburn's study found that chronic psychological stress, its perception, and high oxidative stress were associated with shorter telomeres, lower telomerase activity, and cell aging in healthy peripheral mononuclear blood cells.

Studies comparing exercise interventions have indicated that resistance training does not alter telomere length. Since endurance and resistance training did not produce changes in telomere length, alternative exercise approaches were proposed. While some studies suggest that short-term aerobic exercise does not change telomere length, aerobic exercise, both short and long term, is recognized as a significant exercise type that contributes to telomere elongation. Mind-body interventions to preserve telomere structure have been limited, with most research focusing on meditation and yoga. However, promising studies on meditation have been conducted, with one study showing telomere length increase after 12 weeks of meditation training.

Although telomere structure is primarily influenced by age and genetics, factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, lifestyle changes, diet, and chronic inflammatory processes can also affect telomere structure. Based on the existing literature, this study aims to investigate the effects of TBFT (Basic Body Awareness Therapy) and aerobic exercise on high-stress individuals, while controlling for secondary factors as much as possible, to determine the effectiveness of these exercises.

This study aims to track changes in telomere length in high-stress young individuals using standard aerobic exercise and basic body awareness exercises (BBAT).

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Be between the ages of 18-30,
* Not be obese (BMI \< 25 kg/m²),
* Not have a history of regular exercise or long-term exercise participation,
* Not have a history of smoking or alcohol use,
* Not have received hormone replacement therapy,
* Not be using antioxidant or multivitamin supplements,
* Not have a diagnosed acute or chronic inflammatory disease or any rheumatic condition,
* Be willing to participate in the study voluntarily

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having been diagnosed with a severe psychiatric disorder or using psychiatric medication,
* Having communication barriers,
* Having a history of smoking or alcohol use,
* Having a history of regular exercise,
* Having variable general nutrition habits,
* Having any other diseases related to the circulatory system, orthopedic, neurological, cardiac, and respiratory functions, such as diabetes, cholesterol, or heart failure,
* Being enrolled in another exercise program during the 12-week period within the assigned exercise group.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Telomere Length Measurement
timeFrame: 3 months
measure: Perceived Stress Scale
timeFrame: 3 months
measure: Beck Depression Inventory
timeFrame: 3 months
measure: Beck Anxiety Inventory
timeFrame: 3 months
measure: Body Awareness Questionnaire
timeFrame: 3 months
measure: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
timeFrame: 3 months
measure: Ruminasyon Scale
timeFrame: 3 months
measure: SF-12 Quality of Life Scale
timeFrame: 3 months
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Isparta
country: Turkey
facility: Süleyman Demirel University
Study officials:
affiliation: https://w3.sdu.edu.tr/personel/06713
name: Mert Usta, RA
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Tosato M, Zamboni V, Ferrini A, Cesari M. The aging process and potential interventions to extend life expectancy. Clin Interv Aging. 2007;2(3):401-12.
citation: Kanherkar RR, Stair SE, Bhatia-Dey N, Mills PJ, Chopra D, Csoka AB. Epigenetic Mechanisms of Integrative Medicine. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:4365429. doi: 10.1155/2017/4365429. Epub 2017 Feb 21.
citation: Jacobs TL, Epel ES, Lin J, Blackburn EH, Wolkowitz OM, Bridwell DA, Zanesco AP, Aichele SR, Sahdra BK, MacLean KA, King BG, Shaver PR, Rosenberg EL, Ferrer E, Wallace BA, Saron CD. Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2011 Jun;36(5):664-81. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.09.010. Epub 2010 Oct 29.
citation: Scarabino D, Peconi M, Broggio E, Gambina G, Maggi E, Armeli F, Mantuano E, Morello M, Corbo RM, Businaro R. Relationship between proinflammatory cytokines (Il-1beta, Il-18) and leukocyte telomere length in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Exp Gerontol. 2020 Jul 15;136:110945. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.110945. Epub 2020 Apr 11.
citation: Cherkas LF, Hunkin JL, Kato BS, Richards JB, Gardner JP, Surdulescu GL, Kimura M, Lu X, Spector TD, Aviv A. The association between physical activity in leisure time and leukocyte telomere length. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Jan 28;168(2):154-8. doi: 10.1001/archinternmed.2007.39.
citation: Ludlow AT, Zimmerman JB, Witkowski S, Hearn JW, Hatfield BD, Roth SM. Relationship between physical activity level, telomere length, and telomerase activity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008 Oct;40(10):1764-71. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31817c92aa.
citation: Woo J, Tang N, Leung J. No association between physical activity and telomere length in an elderly Chinese population 65 years and older. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Oct 27;168(19):2163-4. doi: 10.1001/archinte.168.19.2163. No abstract available.
citation: Puterman E, Lin J, Blackburn E, O'Donovan A, Adler N, Epel E. The power of exercise: buffering the effect of chronic stress on telomere length. PLoS One. 2010 May 26;5(5):e10837. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010837.
citation: O'Donovan A, Tomiyama AJ, Lin J, Puterman E, Adler NE, Kemeny M, Wolkowitz OM, Blackburn EH, Epel ES. Stress appraisals and cellular aging: a key role for anticipatory threat in the relationship between psychological stress and telomere length. Brain Behav Immun. 2012 May;26(4):573-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2012.01.007. Epub 2012 Jan 24.
citation: Werner CM, Hecksteden A, Morsch A, Zundler J, Wegmann M, Kratzsch J, Thiery J, Hohl M, Bittenbring JT, Neumann F, Bohm M, Meyer T, Laufs U. Differential effects of endurance, interval, and resistance training on telomerase activity and telomere length in a randomized, controlled study. Eur Heart J. 2019 Jan 1;40(1):34-46. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy585.
citation: Ribeiro VB, Pedroso DCC, Kogure GS, Lopes IP, Santana BA, Dutra de Souza HC, Ferriani RA, Calado RT, Furtado CLM, Reis RMD. Short-Term Aerobic Exercise Did Not Change Telomere Length While It Reduced Testosterone Levels and Obesity Indexes in PCOS: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Oct 27;18(21):11274. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182111274.
citation: Innes KE, Selfe TK, Brundage K, Montgomery C, Wen S, Kandati S, Bowles H, Khalsa DS, Huysmans Z. Effects of Meditation and Music-Listening on Blood Biomarkers of Cellular Aging and Alzheimer's Disease in Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline: An Exploratory Randomized Clinical Trial. J Alzheimers Dis. 2018;66(3):947-970. doi: 10.3233/JAD-180164.
citation: Song S, Lee E, Kim H. Does Exercise Affect Telomere Length? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Feb 5;58(2):242. doi: 10.3390/medicina58020242.