Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "
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28.01.2011 |
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The rejuvenating effect of 45 minutes' running every day: animal study
Old lab rats that run for 45 minutes five times a week in a treadmill become thinner and improve their cardiovascular condition. Nothing new there. But Italian researchers discovered that the mechanism behind the improvement in condition is surprisingly similar to the way calorie restriction works. The simple training schedule activated the longevity enzyme SIRT1.
Calorie restriction
Constant starvation will make you all skin and bones, you won't be able to keep yourself warm, you'll lose strength, libido, reaction time and the ability to concentrate, you'll be continuously tired and there'll be lots more unpleasant effects too. Put simply, your quality of life will be bad. But you'll live longer.
SIRT1
Study
Results
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When the researchers examined the heart muscle of the old rats they saw that the SIRT1 enzyme had become more active. Y = young; O = old; TO = trained & old.
The cells contained less 4-hydroxynonenal [4HNE]. This compound is formed when free radicals damage fatty acids in cell membranes. The catalase concentration was higher. Catalase is a protective enzyme that converts the potentially dangerous radical hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. Hydrogen peroxide forms in cells during energy burning processes.
Conclusion
By the way, the elderly rats didn't seem to enjoy the exercise. The researchers had to use 'mild electric shocks' to, ahem, motivate the animals. Two rats didn't survive this. But the researchers say this doesn't affect their conclusions, as two animals also died in the non-active elderly group.
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