Researchers in the field of epigenetics are studying how exercise can directly affect your DNA and how it functions. Initial reports show that there are a number of external actions (exercise being one of the most noted) that can affect the function of DNA without necessarily changing its structure.
How does that work? Imagine your DNA is a long city street lined with traffic lights. The street itself never changes but the lights affect how fast or slow cars will travel along it. Surrounding your genes are tiny structures called methyl groups, which are basically clusters of atoms. These clusters attach to specific genes and, based on their makeup, can either speed up or drastically slow down the activity level of that specific gene.
A Swedish study found that exercise can directly affect the attachment patterns, which in turn, led to muscles that were healthier and stronger because certain patterns activated natural enhancers we all have inside of us. Epigenetics is showing us how to reach our inner physical potential by helping trigger our DNA to release it.
On the opposite side of the coin, considerable research is also being undertaken to determine how our DNA itself may affect how we should exercise and what types of activity will deliver the best results for each of us. Unlocking the biological preferences coded into your DNA will help you determine if you're built to be a sprinter or an endurance athlete. It can also help you understand how your body stores and metabolizes fat, which can help you determine just how often you need to exercise.
Not the greatest at weightlifting? Then maybe your body is best built for more endurance-based activity like marathon running. There are many benefits to optimizing your workouts to match your genetic profile: recovery time is lessened, results are more notable and faster to appear, and - for the competitive among us - you'll do better at it.
Isn't the body incredible? Your genetics can help you understand the best exercise methods for you. Actually going out and doing those exercises then in turn makes your DNA even more effective and efficient. Not to be cliché, but that's a win-win situation!
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