The Molecular Signature of High-intensity Training in the Human Body

Abstract

High-intensity training is becoming increasingly popular outside of elite sport for health prevention and rehabilitation. This expanded application of high-intensity training in different populations requires a deeper understanding of its molecular signature in the human body. Therefore, in this integrative review, cellular and systemic molecular responses to high-intensity training are described for skeletal muscle, cardiovascular system, and the immune system as major effectors and targets of health and performance. Different kinds of stimuli and resulting homeostatic perturbations (i.e., metabolic, mechanical, neuronal, and hormonal) are reflected, taking into account their role in the local and systemic deflection of molecular sensors and mediators, and their role in tissue and organ adaptations. In skeletal muscle, a high metabolic perturbation induced by high-intensity training is the major stimulus for skeletal muscle adaptation. In the cardio-vascular system, high-intensity training induces haemodynamic stress and deflection of the Ca2+ handling as major stimuli for functional and structural adaptation of the heart and vessels. For the immune system haemodynamic stress, hormones, exosomes, and O2 availability are proposed stimuli that mediate their effects by alteration of different signalling processes leading to local and systemic (anti)inflammatory responses. Overall, high-intensity training shows specific molecular signatures that demonstrate its high potential to improve health and physical performance.

The Impact of Exercise Training Intensity on Physiological Adaptations and Insulin Resistance in Women with Abdominal Obesity

“…This has been seen previously in females who previously demonstrated strength increases by 20% to 40%, without any increase in lean mass [ 93 ]. Similarly, the improvement in insulin sensitivity and resistance in G75 may be due, in part, to possible neural improvements in this group, as a high correlation has been reported between diabetes mellitus obesity and peripheral neuropathy [ 94 ]; and high-intensity exercise training recently showed a beneficial effect on neuronal functions [ 95 , 96 ]. Concerning G50 and G50/75, the improvement in insulin sensitivity and resistance, which was accompanied by increased lean mass, may be explained by a raise in slow and oxidative slow muscle fibers (type I and II).…”

NADPH and Mitochondrial Quality Control as Targets for a Circadian-Based Fasting and Exercise Therapy for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

“…Matched-work continuous and intermittent exercise both led to acute and chronically improved insulin sensitivity and reduced glycogen utilization and lactate production [ 146 ]. High-intensity interval training, with the increased recruitment of type-II fibers, led to increased AMPK activity and PGC-1α expression in response to increased exercise intensity and cellular energy demand [ 147 ]. Further evaluation of low-volume, high-intensity interval training indicated improved mitochondrial protein content and enzyme activities.…”

The Impact of Wearing Different Face Masks on Vigorous Physical Exercise Performance and Perceived Exertion among COVID-19 Infected vs. Uninfected Female Students

“…Regarding exercise, it is recommended to include high-intensity training (HIT) and sprint-interval training (SIT) as part of the medical management plan for patients with chronic diseases due to their potential beneficial impacts. HIT, in particular, has a specific molecular signature demonstrating its ability to improve both immunological function and physical performance [24].…”