In their experiments, the scientists worked with muscle and nerve tissue to assess the impact of exercise on the health of cells and nerves. They found that muscle contraction led to the release of a host of biochemical signals called myokines. They then compared the state of nerve tissue with and without myokines.
It turned out that physical exercise had a significant biochemical effect on nerve growth: in the presence of myokines, neuronal growth increased fourfold. The effect was noticeable after just five days. Remarkably, physical stimulation of neurons (similar to stretching muscles during exercise) resulted in growth just as strong as that induced by myokines.
"These results demonstrate muscle-nerve crosstalk and suggest the potential for restoring damaged nerves through exercise," the authors commented. Until now, they believed that nerves controlled muscles, but were unsure of their mutual communication.
Muscle stimulation is now being explored for the restoration of nerves following traumatic injuries or neurodegenerative diseases. Scientists will currently test various disease and injury models to confirm the therapeutic potential of exercise for symptom management.
Previously, other studies have shown that physical activity lowers blood pressure and helps manage symptoms of depression.
