The current research, however, goes far beyond these early observations.
The initial findings have been nothing short of remarkable, Dr. Ashley said.
In one experiment, researchers studied rats that underwent eight weeks of aerobic training on a treadmill.
“Every single tissue we looked at showed something completely different from before,” he reported.
One of the most intriguing discoveries was how exercise seemed to counteract disease-related changes in the body.
This observation suggests that exercise may be actively reversing some of the molecular changes associated with various illnesses.
The study’s scope extended far beyond the expected impacts on heart and skeletal muscle.
Researchers observed significant changes in the kidney, adrenal gland, intestine, and brain.
One significant finding was the activation of the heat-shock response across multiple tissues.
This system helps proteins in cells maintain their proper three-dimensional structure and prevents them from aggregating inappropriately.
The study also revealed surprising gender differences in the response to exercise.
“Any movement is better than none,” he said.
For people with sedentary jobs, simply standing up and taking a walk during lunch can be beneficial.
This compelling statistic increases to seven or eight minutes of extra life for higher-intensity exercise.
