THE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON INFLAMMATION AND CELLULAR SENESCENCE: MECHANISMS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTHY AGEING
1 Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Bayero University, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: abdulmuminuliman@abueducationjournals.com
* Corresponding author: abdulmuminuliman@abueducationjournals.com
Abstract
Ageing is accompanied by a progressive accumulation of senescent cells and a chronic, low grade
inflammatory state often termed inflammation, both of which contribute to the onset of age related disease
and functional decline. Physical exercise has emerged as one of the most accessible and effective non
pharmacological interventions capable of modulating these processes. This review synthesizes evidence
on the relationship between exercise, inflammation, and cellular senescence, with particular attention to
the mechanisms through which acute and chronic exercise influence the senescence associated secretory
phenotype, immune cell ageing, and tissue level senescent cell burden. The review considers the
paradoxical role of exercise induced acute inflammation as a beneficial signal that promotes adaptive
remodeling and senescent cell clearance, in contrast with the deleterious effects of unresolved chronic
inflammation. It further examines emerging evidence on high intensity interval training, resistance
exercise, and hypoxic exercise as modulators of senescence markers such as p16INK4a and p21CIP1, and
considers the implications of these findings for the prevention of sarcopenia, cardiovascular ageing, and
neurodegeneration. The review concludes that structured exercise interventions represent a promising
senomorphic and senolytic adjunct strategy and identifies priority areas for future research, including dose
response relationships and the translation of mechanistic findings into clinical exercise prescription for
older adults.
Keywords
exercise
inflammation
cellular senescence
inflammaging
senescence associated secretory phenotype
healthy ageing
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How to Cite
LIMAN, A. (2026). THE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON INFLAMMATION AND CELLULAR SENESCENCE: MECHANISMS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTHY AGEING. Global Journal of Health Related Researches, 8(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.67203/gjhrr.2026.b2tiutj8
A. LIMAN, "THE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON INFLAMMATION AND CELLULAR SENESCENCE: MECHANISMS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTHY AGEING," Global Journal of Health Related Researches, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1–4, March 2026. doi: 10.67203/gjhrr.2026.b2tiutj8