Exercise Under the Microscope: How Physical Activity Reshapes Aging Muscle Biology

Zoha Fatima

doi:10.18192/osurj.v5i1.8100

Exercise Under the Microscope: How Physical Activity Reshapes Aging Muscle Biology

Authors

Zoha Fatima University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18192/osurj.v5i1.8100

Abstract

Sarcopenia is an age-related musculoskeletal disease characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and regenerative capacity, contributing to frailty, impaired mobility, and reduced independence in older adults. While pharmacological therapies targeting muscle degeneration continue to emerge, exercise remains one of the most effective and accessible interventions for preserving musculoskeletal health during aging. This commentary discusses the study by Cosgrove et al., which used single-cell transcriptomic analyses to demonstrate that exercise modulates aging tissue biology through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Exercise directly influenced inflammatory signaling, stem cell communication, and regenerative pathways while indirectly improving broader physiological processes associated with healthy aging and functional recovery. By reducing inflammatory signatures and restoring youthful intercellular communication within aged skeletal muscle, exercise may improve tissue regeneration beyond its effects on muscle mass alone. These findings emphasize the growing importance of rehabilitation-based strategies for preserving mobility, improving recovery, and maintaining functional independence in aging populations.

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Published

2026-06-17

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Commentaries

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