How Does Exercise Move Your DNA?

About this episode

Katy and Jeannette discuss how movement can influence DNA and gene expression through various analogies and scientific concepts.

Katy & Jeannette dive into the question: can movement really change your DNA? Using clear analogies—like libraries, recipes, and sticky notes—they unpack what DNA is, how gene expression works, and what we really mean by epigenetics (the “on top of” changes that influence which genes get used). They explore how exercise can turn the “volume up or down” on metabolic genes , pro-inflammatory markers , and stress protein genes , and how many of these changes involve altering the arrangement and access to DNA within your cells. Using another accessible analogy of spider webs, they explore how forces on cells (through mechanotransduction ) act as a powerful, non-chemical “nutrient” that can literally move your DNA and alter epigenetics and gene expression. This is why exercise and everyday movement not only have systemic benefits but also site-specific effects —and why the distribution of movement throughout your body matters just as much as how much you move. Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript 00:00:23 “You can’t change DNA”: Katy’s green-room story with a physician who insists DNA is fixed. 00:03:33 What is DNA? Jeanette’s library-and-recipe analogy explaining DNA and gene…

People in this episode

Host: Katy Bowman

Guest: Jeannette

Topics covered

• DNA
• gene expression
• epigenetics
• exercise
• mechanotransduction
• health benefits

Keywords

• DNA
• exercise
• epigenetics
• gene expression
• mechanotransduction

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