Engaging in physical activity to slow down skin ageing?

According to the research conducted by Satoshi FUJITA and his team, a comparison was made between aerobic training and resistance training on the skin ageing process in 61 sedentary Japanese women over a 16-week period, in order to measure theimpact of exercise on skin ageing. Blood samples taken from the participants before and after the training were analysed to assess the circulating levels of various factors. At the same time, these plasma samples were added to human dermal fibroblasts to measure the expression of genes associated with the dermal extracellular matrix, such as collagen and elastin.

The elasticity of the skin and the structure of the upper dermis were significantly improved by the two exercises compared to the time before the exercise, from 0.31 to about 0.37. Resistance training also increased the thickness of the dermis with an increase of 0.05 mm. After training, human primary dermal fibroblasts showed an increase in the expression of genes associated with the dermal extracellular matrix. In addition, dermal biglycan was increased from 1 to 1.10 during resistance training.

Dermal biglycan is a key glycoprotein found in the skin, which contributes to the maintenance of its normal structure and function.

What are the mechanisms involved?

All these results indicate a positive effect of physical exercise on the reduction of skin ageing. A study conducted by Mark A. TARNOPOLSKY showed that exercise controls the expression of IL-15, a cytokine that promotes the biosynthesis of mitochondria, partly through the AMPK of skeletal muscle, a central regulator of metabolism, and that the removal of muscle AMPK leads to a deterioration of skin structure. Thus, exercise could help to increase the biogenesis of mitochondria and therefore the preservation of skin structure.

Furthermore, during exercise, blood circulation increases. This means that skin cells receive more essential nutrients such as oxygen and vitamins, which can nourish the skin's fibroblastic cells and promote the production of collagen, a fundamental dermal fibre for elasticity, firmness and cell regeneration.

Finally, this property of sport could also be associated with theincrease in skin hydration it induces. Indeed, Aibara HIROMI and her colleagues discovered during experiments that an increase in physical activity is associated with significantly higher skin hydration and that exercise habits can help prevent skin dryness. It is important to note that the function of skin hydration decreases with age. When the skin is properly hydrated, cellular functions such as cell regeneration are improved, potentially slowing down skin ageing.