The effect of basic body awareness therapy and aerobic exercise approaches on telomere length in young adults

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) and aerobic exercise interventions on telomere length, perceived stress, psychological variables, and quality of life in young adults with high stress levels. Telomeres are critical biological markers of cellular aging, and chronic stress may accelerate telomere shortening by triggering oxidative processes. Physical activity and mind-body approaches are considered potential interventions for reducing stress and preserving telomere length. The research was conducted using a randomized controlled experimental design. A total of 49 volunteers aged 18–30 years who scored 27 or above on the Perceived Stress Scale were included. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: the BBAT group (n=18), the aerobic exercise group (n=15), and the control group (n=16). Interventions lasted for 12 weeks. BBAT sessions consisted of body awareness, postural control, relaxation, and group feedback practices, whereas the aerobic exercise group followed moderate-intensity treadmill training in accordance with ACSM guidelines. The control group did not receive any exercise intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after the intervention. Measurements included telomere length (via qPCR), perceived stress, anxiety, depression, body awareness, sleep quality, rumination, and quality of life scales. Parametric methods (ANOVA, MANOVA) were employed for statistical analyses. Findings revealed a significant reduction in stress levels across all groups; however, a significant increase in telomere length was observed only in the aerobic exercise group (p<0.05). BBAT improved psychosocial parameters such as body awareness, anxiety, and sleep quality, while aerobic exercise demonstrated a stronger effect on telomere biology (p<0.05). No significant biological changes were observed in the control group. In conclusion, the study suggests that aerobic exercise may be effective in increasing telomere length, while BBAT contributes to enhancing psychological well-being and body awareness. These findings indicate that different exercise approaches may be complementarily used for stress management and healthy aging in young adults. Furthermore, this study provides a novel contribution to the literature as one of the first to investigate the impact of BBAT on telomere biology.