VUGENE highlights a study showing that Olympic champions exhibit slower epigenetic aging compared to non-champions, suggesting that years of high-level training and physical discipline may promote healthier biological aging.
Researchers analyzed DNA methylation-based epigenetic clocks in Olympic gold medalists and matched controls (non-athletes and non-medalists) to explore how elite athletic performance influences biological age.
In the study was identified the top 20 genes that showed the most remarkable difference in promoter methylation between these groups. The hypo-methylated genes are involved in synaptic health, glycosylation, metal ion membrane transfer, and force generation. Most of the hyper-methylated genes were associated with cancer promotion.
Key findings from the study:
Younger biological age: Olympic champions showed significantly lower epigenetic age than non-champions, indicating a slower biological aging process.
Sex differences: Among female Olympic champions, DNAmFitAge and GrimAge indicated significantly higher epigenetic age acceleration in recent medalists compared to past medalists. In contrast, male champions demonstrated lower age acceleration on DNAmAge, DNAmPhenoAge, GrimAge, and GrimAge2 in recent medalists versus past medalists.
Impact of sport type: Interestingly, male Olympic champions in wrestling had significantly higher age acceleration than those in gymnastics, fencing, and water polo—according to certain epigenetic clocks. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to limited sample sizes in each sport category.
This study sheds light on how structured, high-performance physical activity may offer long-term biological benefits, slowing the aging process and potentially reducing disease risk.
Zsolt Radák, Dóra Aczél, Iván Fejes, Soroosh Mozaffaritabar, Gabor Pavlik, Zsolt Komka, László Balogh, Zsofia Babszki, Gergely Babszki, Erika Koltai, Kristen M McGreevy, Juozas Gordevicius, Steve Horvath, Csaba Kerepesi (2025). Slowed epigenetic aging in Olympic champions compared to non-champions. Geroscience, vol 47 (2).
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Written by: Milda Milčiūtė
Cover image credits: thanarak / Adobe Stock
