Abstract
Molecular exercise physiology is the study of the underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms that underpin physiological adaptation to exercise. The molecular mechanisms studied include; inherited DNA traits and mutations (genetics), extracellular and intracellular signaling, gene expression, and protein translation in the major tissues and organs that are required for exercise, particularly skeletal muscle. Within the molecular exercise physiology field, epigenetics is an emerging and exciting area that is beginning to enhance our understanding of how environmental exposures to exercise can affect the regulation of our inherited DNA, affecting the extent to which genes are turned on and off (gene/mRNA expression). DNA methylation is one of the major epigenetic modifications that can regulate gene expression following environmental encounters with exercise without changes to the genetic code. Therefore, this chapter provides an overview of our current understanding for the role of DNA methylation in response to acute aerobic and resistance exercise, as well as its function in regulating gene expression following chronic exercise. Finally, we review the emerging and exciting area of epigenetic muscle memory and the role of DNA methylation in this phenomenon, and provide important directions for future research in this area.
Published Version
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