A new scientific publication in Nature Reviews Endocrinology has revealed that the benefits of regular exercise go far beyond strengthening muscles and improving heart health. Leading researchers from the Australian Catholic University (ACU), Professor John Hawley and Dr. Nolan Hoffman, note that physical activity changes the human body at the molecular level, transforming the way its systems function.
The paper summarizes two decades of research exploring how physical activity affects metabolism. The researchers emphasize that exercise acts as a powerful biological intervention that influences human health at the molecular level.
According to Professor Hawley and Dr. Hoffman, 20 years ago scientists already understood the general metabolic benefits of exercise, but the complex molecular mechanisms behind those effects remained unknown. Recent studies, powered by advanced technologies, have identified thousands of molecules that become active during physical exertion.
Research shows that exercise:
- Causes specific changes in genes and proteins within muscle tissue.
- Improves metabolic and immune processes within the circulatory system.
- Releases molecules that send signals to various cells and organs throughout the body, proving that the effects of exercise extend far beyond muscle contraction.
The researchers suggest that these discoveries point toward a future in which physical activity will become an integral part of healthcare — a form of preventive medicine used to both prevent and treat chronic conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
In the future, molecular biomarkers could even be used to predict how effective exercise might be for each individual, based on their unique genetic and metabolic profile.
Source: Nature
