Figure 2.

Exercise as a countermeasure to aging and chronic disease. Senescent cells accumulate with age and contribute to many age-associated diseases and geriatric syndromes. We propose exercise effectively delays the onset and progression of disease, in part, by preventing the accumulation of senescent cells. Mechanistically, exercise counters diverse forms of stimuli that cause senescence, including DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inflammation. In parallel, exercise promotes a healthier cellular milieu that counters reinforcement of the senescence program and facilitates immune cell–mediated senescent cell clearance. The senotherapeutic effects of exercise contribute to its marked impact on healthspan.