Researchers analyzing data from the Chinese Immune Multi-omics Atlas (CIMA) report that people who exercise regularly show distinct metabolic and immune-cell signatures compared with sedentary individuals. Exercise was associated with improved glucose and lipid metabolism, stronger muscle markers and higher antioxidant levels. At the cellular level, cytotoxic T and natural killer cells were more active, naive immune cells showed greater chromatin accessibility at immune genes, and monocytes and B cells expressed more alarm-related genes. The study is observational and cannot prove causation.
How Regular Exercise Rewires Your Immune System and Metabolism, Study Finds
A new study compared the metabolisms and immune systems of people who exercise regularly and those who have sedentary lifestyles. . | Credit: Tom Werner via Getty Images
Regular physical activity is linked to measurable changes in both metabolism and immune-cell function at the cellular level, according to a multi-omics analysis published Sept. 18 in Science Advances. The study compares blood-based markers and cellular profiles from adults who exercise regularly with those who lead sedentary lives, revealing molecular signatures that may help explain exercise's protective effects against chronic disease.
Study Design and Methods
The research team used data from the Chinese Immune Multi-omics Atlas (CIMA), analyzing blood samples and detailed lifestyle questionnaires from 400 adults. To emphasize contrasts, investigators compared participants at the extremes of activity: an "active" group that exercised at least three times per week (more than 150 minutes of moderate activity or more than 75 minutes of vigorous activity) and a "sedentary" group who reported no exercise.
What the Tests Showed
Standard blood chemistry and targeted assays indicated that the regularly active participants exhibited:
- Enhanced glucose and lipid metabolism,
- Stronger markers of muscle metabolism, and
- Higher levels of antioxidant molecules that help protect cells from damage.
Cellular and Genomic Insights
Beyond routine blood tests, the team used a multi-omics approach—combining measurements of metabolites, lipids, proteins and RNA—and profiled chromatin accessibility, a genomic feature that reflects how readily genes can be switched on. More open chromatin at specific immune-related genes suggests those genes are easier to activate and translate into proteins.
These layered analyses revealed multiple cellular adaptations in people who exercise regularly. Key findings included increased activity of immune effector cells (cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells), greater chromatin accessibility in naive immune cells at genes involved in activation, and higher expression of alarm- and signaling-related genes in antigen-presenting monocytes and B cells.
"This is really deep stuff," said Dr. Michael Siebers of the University of Duisburg-Essen, who was not involved in the study. He noted the work clarifies how systemic metabolic benefits of exercise translate to cellular and chromatin-level changes.
Limitations and Interpretation
The study is observational and cannot establish cause and effect. The dataset focused on activity frequency and duration but lacked detailed information about exercise type, intensity beyond the threshold, and participants' body composition. It's therefore possible that preexisting biological differences influenced both immune profiles and a person's ability to exercise.
Why It Matters
Despite these caveats, the multi-omics, cellular-resolution findings provide molecular clues about how regular physical activity may prime the immune system and tune metabolism—pathways that could help explain reduced risks of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. The results point to targets for future research into interventions that mimic or boost exercise benefits.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.
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