Benefits of Exercise for Skin Health
Nourishing Skin Cells
Exercise enhances skin cell nourishment by boosting blood circulation, which facilitates the transport of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Beyond the traditional advantages of regular physical activity, research indicates a significant connection between exercise and skin health.
Deep Skin Benefits of Exercise
At the molecular level, skin cells contain mitochondria, which are essential organelles responsible for energy production. Mitochondria generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a critical compound for cell survival that supports the restoration, healing, and rejuvenation of skin cells while also helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. However, ATP production tends to decrease with age, leading to a slowdown in the skin’s metabolic functions. Engaging in exercise promotes continuous synthesis and breakdown of ATP, stimulating various mechanisms such as glucose uptake and improvements in mitochondrial function.
While aging is unavoidable, the management of how we age is possible. Evidence suggests that exercise can positively impact aging by enhancing mitochondrial function, which often becomes impaired over time.
Exercise and Wound Healing
Research comparing older athletes with sedentary adults has shown that those who exercise have superior skin conditions. Beyond maintaining skin health, exercise also accelerates wound healing. Studies indicate that older athletes exhibit faster wound healing rates compared to their non-exercising counterparts. Furthermore, exercise has been evaluated as a treatment for adults suffering from venous leg ulcers, revealing that those who engaged in physical activity, alongside standard care, experienced better outcomes in skin repair and overall quality of life.
Exercise Prevents Skin Injury
Regular physical activity enhances the skin’s moisture retention capabilities, which is essential for protecting skin integrity against cuts and injuries that could lead to infections. A study found that after a single high-intensity workout, the outer layer of the skin (stratum corneum) showed increased hydration levels. Additionally, long-term endurance exercise contributed to the thickening of the stratum corneum, thereby improving the skin’s barrier function.
Exercise for Skin Health and Prevention
The findings discussed indicate a strong relationship between exercise and skin health, injury prevention, and an enhanced quality of life. Although the studies did not prioritize specific types of exercise, the overarching conclusion emphasizes the significance of incorporating physical activity into daily routines to sustain healthy skin.
References
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2. Hood DA, Memme JM, Oliveira AN, Triolo M. Maintenance of skeletal muscle mitochondria in health, exercise, and aging. Annual Review of Physiology. 2019;81:19-41.
3. Crane JD, MacNeil LG, Lally JS, Et al. Exercise-stimulated interleukin-15 is controlled by AMPK and regulates skin metabolism and aging. Aging Cell. 2015;14: 625-634.
4. Emery CF, Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Glaser R, Malarkey WB, Frid DJ. Exercise accelerates wound healing among healthy older adults: A preliminary investigation. The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2005;60:1432-1436.
5. O’Brien J, Finlayson K, Kerr G, Edwards H. Evaluating the effectiveness of a self-management exercise intervention on wound healing, functional ability and health-related quality of life outcomes in adults with venous leg ulcers: A randomised controlled trial. International Wound Journal. 2017;14:130-137.
6. Oizumi R, Sugimoto Y, Aibara H. The association between activity levels and skin moisturizing function in adults. Dermatology Reports. 2021;13.