A new study out of McMaster University in Ontario, Canada revealed some astonishing results about exercise and aging. Researchers used mice that contained a genetic mutation that prevented them from completely repairing their mitochondria (think of mitochondria as the life force or powerhouse of your cells). They separated the mice into two different groups. One group did not exercise at all. The other group was allowed to run on a wheel for 45 minutes three times a week. After 8 months, the mice that did not exercise were in a very poor state of health. Their brains shrunk, their muscles were weak, and their hearts were enlarged. None of these mice survived a year. As for the group of mice that exercised, after 8 months they were all thriving and healthy. Even though these mice contained the same genetic mutation, exercise seemed to prevent those genes from causing poor health. This study proves that exercise has the power to alter our genetics in favor of health!
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/can-exercise-keep-you-young/
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