Exercise offers numerous benefits, including enhanced peripheral blood circulation, increased cardiac output intake and improved vascular elasticity. Picture yourself on the playing field, eyes focused on hitting that ball, or observing your posture in front of a mirror as you perfect your technique. Load-bearing exercises for example are particularly effective in promoting bone deposition and preventing osteoporosis.
This post will explore the molecular mechanisms and processes that contribute to good health, as well as other therapeutic developments.
While the benefits of physical activity have long been acknowledged, the underlying mechanisms have only recently been understood. Let's look at this from base level.
A bubble chart graph showing the research history of exercise memetics. To go further, these are compounds which mimic or enhance the beneficial effects of exercise on the body and brain. This primarily benefits health in the following three ways, 1 - myokines synthesis, 2 - regulating signaling pathways and 3 - targeting small molecule targets.
Research on targeting small molecule targets appears with the most developments, as seen from the figure above. In detail, this refers to actions relating to inhibition or activation of protein functions. Signal transduction pathway changes and modulation to gene expression play a key role in this too. The specific outcome of the small molecule however is dependent on the target and specificity. The biological context matter as well.
A curve graph showing how increasing volumes of exercise results in a curvi-linear decrease in health risks, but the associated health benefits can be partially gone once a person performs exercise training past the optimal exercise dose. The short and long term health effects after exercise may appear as an improvement to cardiovascular function and lower blood pressure levels. In the long term, the heart muscle is strengthened. Blood stroke volume increases, as well as nitric acid levels.
Cardiovascular disease can be offset with regular exercise. The heart gradually improves its ability to pump blood to the lungs and throughout your body. More blood flows to the muscles, increasing oxygen levels too. Lipid fats and insulin are regulated too as well as many more processes.
During exercise, the body organs engage in a complex communication network, allowing for optimal performance and energy utilization. The muscles send out signals to other organs such as the liver and fat tissue to release stored energy sources. The neuroendocrine system is activated too which releases body regulation hormones.
The heart and lungs work in conjunction to supply oxygen to muscle, to expel carbon dioxide. The heart also works hard to pump blood to the muscles and the lungs facilitate gas exchange. Further to this, metabolic pathways are activated across multiple organ systems and the immune system kicks in too, to respond against stress and infections.
Exercise is encouraged to combat a sedentary lifestyle. It has been vital for human health since centuries and now we are rapidly advancing in molecular biotechnology in 2024. From this area of research we observe how both endurance and resistance exercise training have an effect on the body’s physiological responses, including human body regulation. Exercise has been found to support tissue regeneration in particular. Most adult human organs have weak regeneration capacity and so medicine is needed. It is understood that exercise mimetics is a solution to promote exercise-induced tissue regeneration, targeting injury or senescence causes.
And So... Practical tips?
The Olympic season is now over. This makes it ideal to pick up on a sport or a fitness activity, and a sure good start to the new academic/work year. Maybe you have already enjoyed one on holiday, such as volleyball on the beach or cycling in mountains. If you are new to exercise, start slow. Consider low-impact activities such as jogging. Also aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Consistency is important. Remember to check in with a professional or a trainer before starting something new, especially if you have existing health conditions.
Resources
(Paper) Genetics and sports performance: sports based on DNA testing
Article underlines the present and future ideas for sports based on DNA testing. It looks at the impacts of genetics on athletic performance. An underscore on genetic influence (genetic polymorphisms), methodological challenges (sample sizes, classifications), advancements (TGS).
(Article) Tracking Systems in Team Sports: A Narrative Review of Applications of the Data and Sport Specific Analysis
Provides a comprehensive overview of how tracking systems are used in team sports. Here are the key points. The review is particularly useful for practitioners looking to increase performance and reduce injury risks in team sports by the use of tracking systems.
(Paper) Working Out: The Molecular Biology of Exercise
Article going deeper into the complex molecular changes that happen in the body during physical activity. Overall, the study highlights the far-reaching and complex benefits of exercise at molecular level giving a clear understanding on health benefits from physical exercise.
Last updated: 08/12/2024
Share this:
3 comments:
You've provided practical advice in this post. I totally agree that exercise has endless benefits.
Thanks for the practical advice here. I definitely agree with starting slow. My preferred form of exercise is home workouts on YouTube. I can usually squeeze in 20-30 minutes while my son naps.
I consider myself in ok shape but I'm trying to get into the habit of exercising everyday. I walk 3 miles with the dog, and then do 25 pushups, 25 sit-ups, and 25 body squats. I know its not going to get me ripped but if I do it every day for a year I know I'm going to see a huge difference. Hopefully more people work out and read your post!
Post a Comment