Your cells keep a record of every workout you’ve ever done – and those gains persist even after a break from exercise
The data do not suggest the effects of past training can substitute for present training. But there is hope that the work you put into getting in shape isn’t completely lost over time.
Recent research suggests that muscle and liver cells keep a record of each workout, allowing gains in endurance, blood sugar control, and weight maintenance to persist even after breaks from exercise. For years, it was believed that the benefits of exercise fade away over time – "use it or lose it." However, scientists are now challenging this notion.
They have discovered that cells can store memories of exercise, which helps the body take advantage of previous training even after periods of inactivity. In mice, muscle memory led to bigger muscles and better energy management, even during a high-fat diet. Liver cells also retained exercise memory, releasing enzymes that helped deliver fat to muscles for burning.
These cellular memories may even be passed down to future generations. While these findings don't replace the need for regular exercise, they suggest that our cells could be providing a fitness advantage across generations.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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