Discovery of the body’s ‘activity switch’ could lead to drugs that get us moving
Scientists say they have found a ‘switch’ in our bodies that increases the desire to exercise more.
Unfortunately, in people with obesity, there is less of the activity-promoting protein present.
But they say their discovery could potentially lead to the development of a drug that motivates us to sweat.
Data from mice and humans revealed that when muscles contract repeatedly and intensely, certain mechanisms kick in to activate the production of a protein called IL-15. This protein has a direct effect on the part of the brain that controls movement.
An increase in this protein in the blood signals the brain to increase motor activity, causing the mice in the study to become more voluntarily active.
Researchers from Spain’s National Research Centre suggest that it is ‘possible to develop drugs for people who specifically need the benefits of exercise but are reluctant to do it’ (stock photo)
A team from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the United States found that taking more than 8,200 steps a day protects against conditions such as obesity, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and major depressive disorders (stock photo)
In humans, an increase in IL-15 levels in the blood was also detected after exercise. Obese patients who exercised showed lower levels of this protein, suggesting that they were less motivated to continue moving.
According to the researchers, this finding suggests that it may be possible to develop drugs for people who primarily need the benefits of exercise but are reluctant to do so.
They said the next step will be to confirm that IL-15 is indeed a blood marker for the desire to exercise.
Author Guadalupe Sabio of the Spanish National Research Centre said: ‘We have discovered a muscle-brain pathway that regulates the willingness to exercise more when we play sports.
“(It) is one of the culprits – and there must be more – for the fact that when we exercise, we feel the impulse to exercise even more.”
The findings were published in the journal Science Advances.
Other research has shown that even simple exercise, such as meeting a daily step goal, can help prevent serious diseases.
A team from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the United States found that taking more than 8,200 steps a day – the equivalent of walking about four miles – protects against conditions such as obesity, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and major depressive disorders.