Molecular Insights into the Role of Exercise in Disease and Health

Dear Colleagues,

Physical exercise plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and preventing the onset of various diseases. The molecular mechanisms underlying the positive effects of exercise, including mind–body practices, on disease prevention and health promotion have been the subject of extensive research in recent years. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive review of the latest advances and discoveries in the field of molecular insights into the role of exercise in disease and health.

Researchers from diverse disciplines have investigated the molecular changes that occur in response to exercise and their impact on disease prevention, treatment, and overall wellbeing. By gathering high-quality contributions from scientists and scholars working in this field, this Special Issue aims to explore the intricate molecular pathways and mechanisms through which exercise exerts its positive effects on human health.

We invite authors to submit original research papers and review articles that explore the molecular signatures of exercise-related processes and their implications for disease prevention, management, and related therapeutic interventions. Manuscripts that focus on the translation of basic molecular knowledge into clinical applications in the context of exercise are highly encouraged. Additionally, articles that investigate the development and application of novel technologies and biomarkers related to exercise and its molecular effects are welcomed.

Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

1. Molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of exercise on risk and progression of chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, etc.);
2. Molecular pathways involved in exercise-induced improvements in metabolic health;
3. Exercise and molecular mechanisms related to neuroprotection and cognitive function;
4. Molecular insights into exercise-related changes in muscle physiology and performance;
5. Exercise and molecular regulation of aging processes, with a focus on sarcopenia;
6. Molecular insights into exercise’s impact on oxidative balance;
7. Telomeres and their role in disease progression and the aging process;
8. Exercise-induced modulation of immune functions and inflammation;
9. Exercise and its effects on mitochondrial biogenesis and functions;
10. Epigenetic modifications associated with exercise and their impact on gene expression;
11. Exercise and the effects of circulating biomarkers, such as mRNAs, cfDNA, and exosomes, on disease and health;
12. The impact of different types of supplementation (e.g., vitamins, polyphenols, etc.) on exercise response in various pathologies;
13. Molecular insights underlying the physiological adaptations observed due to the practice of mind–body exercises (e.g., Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Yoga), as well as their potential application in disease prevention and management;
14. The role of exercise in cancer prevention and treatment, with a focus on molecular mechanisms;
15. Exercise interventions and personalized medicine, with a focus on molecular profiling and stratification.

Prof. Dr. María José Cuevas-González
Dr. Brisamar Estébanez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• physical activity
• molecular mechanisms
• disease prevention
• metabolic health
• cardiovascular diseases
• neurodegenerative diseases
• sarcopenia
• immune function
• healthy aging
• epigenetics