Understanding the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Physical Activity-Induced Health Benefits

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Although maintaining a healthy weight is critical for health promotion and disease prevention, the complex cellular and molecular mechanisms of physical activity are not fully understood.

In October, 2014, the National Institute for Health (NIH) convened a workshop entitled ‘‘Understanding the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Physical Activity-Induced Health Benefits’’ to identify gaps in current knowledge, obstacles to obtaining that knowledge, and possible solutions that would advance the field.

Working groups addressed physiological mechanisms by which acute and adaptive responses to physical activity benefits multiple tissues and organ systems and how these systems are altered by age, sex, body composition, fitness level, and exposure to exercise.

In response to recommendations from this workshop, initiated the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity, a program through the Common Fund to further track and explore molecular mechanisms of physical activity. The program provides about $170 million over five years for investigators at research institutions across the United States.

Ultimately, this research will advance personalized exercise medicine by promoting health through improvements in PA prescriptions, adherence, and adjunct therapies.

Navigating health information related to exercise medicine is complicated, particularly for Latinos who face language barriers and lack access to health care services. Moreover, Latinos are disproportionately burdened by unhealthy advertising.

It is important to more fully understand specific mechanisms that underlie the health benefits of physical activity to differentiate between risks associated with physical inactivity and risks associated with weight status. When weight status is the focus, people who are normal weight and people who are limiting caloric intake to lose weight are likely to underestimate the risks associated with physical inactivity regardless of weight status. However, when physical activity is the focus, everyone can more accurately estimate their risk and make appropriate lifestyle changes for themselves and their families.

Learn more about Understanding the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Physical Activity-Induced Health Benefits here.

Learn more about the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity program here.

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