Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (24): 6337-6344.doi: 10.12307/2026.185

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Exercise-intestinal flora and aging

Wang Yinfeng, Yao Lijuan, Ma Zhennan, Chen Leqin   

  1. Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, Shanxi Province, China
  • Received:2025-07-11 Revised:2025-08-22 Online:2026-08-28 Published:2026-02-04
  • Contact: Chen Leqin, Professor, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, Shanxi Province, China
  • About author:Wang Yinfeng, MS, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, Shanxi Province, China

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The benefits of exercise as a classical intervention for aging have been widely recognized. The homeostatic balance of a wide range of microorganisms in the intestinal flora indirectly regulates aging, and the bidirectional association between exercise and the intestinal flora can collectively influence the process of aging.
OBJECTIVE: To sort out the effects of exercise, intestinal flora and their interactions on aging, and to explore the specific physiological mechanisms involved.
METHODS: A computer-based search in CNKI, WanFang, VIP, PubMed, MedReading, and Web of Science, with the time limit of 1976-01-01/2025-02-28, was conducted to collect the relevant studies on the effects of exercise and intestinal flora on aging. The search terms were “intestinal flora, gut microbiota, physical exercise, age, aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, low intensity exercise, moderate intensity exercise, high intensity exercise” in Chinese and English.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Exercise and intestinal flora are both means to intervene in aging, and the combined benefits of exercise and gut microbiota in intervening in aging are even more pronounced. (2) Exercise changes the composition and function of intestinal flora, stimulates intestinal production of short-chain fatty acids, regulates host metabolism and immune function, reduces inflammatory response, and promotes the synthesis of vitamins and neurotransmitters. (3) The specific manifestations of aging, when the intestinal flora is regulated via different exercise modes, are different. (4) Different gut-organ axis regulated by exercise has different effects on aging. 

Key words: ntestinal flora, exercise, aging, beneficial bacteria, bacterial diversity, geriatric population, gut-organ axis, targeted intervention

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