EXERCISE-INDUCED MYOKINES RELEASE: IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE AND MENTAL HEALTH IN HEALTH AND DISEASE
type: CreativeWork
description: Physical exercise exerts profound systemic effects on human physiology, mediated by the secretion of signalling molecules such as myokines, adipokines, and neuropeptides. These factors regulate energy metabolism, tissue repair, neuroendocrine function, and overall homeostasis, thereby contributing to the well-documented benefits of regular training on health and performance. However, the acute responses of these molecules remain incompletely understood, particularly in resistance-trained individuals and in relation to exercise modality, intensity, and individual characteristics such as age and physical fitness. This doctoral thesis aimed to address this gap by examining the acute biochemical and perceptual responses to resistance and aerobic exercise under different conditions, focusing on irisin, adiponectin, and β-endorphins, alongside traditional markers of muscle damage and perceived soreness. The thesis comprises five studies, including four experimental investigations in trained men and one exploratory pilot study in breast cancer survivors, providing novel insights into the regulation of these molecules and their relevance to training prescription and health. The first study investigated the acute response of irisin to an exhaustive resistance training protocol in young, resistance-trained men. Participants completed a whole-body routine performed to volitional failure, with blood samples collected at baseline, 15 min, 24 h, and 48 h post-exercise. The findings showed a transient increase in irisin alongside a substantial elevation in creatine kinase (CK), confirming muscle damage. Although irisin responses were heterogeneous and not temporally associated with CK dynamics, the data suggest that irisin release is not simply a by-product of muscle disruption but may instead reflect broader systemic or metabolic regulation. The second study replicated the analysis under a buffered resistance training condition, in which sets were terminated with two repetitions …
abstract: Physical exercise exerts profound systemic effects on human physiology, mediated by the secretion of signalling molecules such as myokines, adipokines, and neuropeptides. These factors regulate energy metabolism, tissue repair, neuroendocrine function, and overall homeostasis, thereby contributing to the well-documented benefits of regular training on health and performance. However, the acute responses of these molecules remain incompletely understood, particularly in resistance-trained individuals and in relation to exercise modality, intensity, and individual characteristics such as age and physical fitness. This doctoral thesis aimed to address this gap by examining the acute biochemical and perceptual responses to resistance and aerobic exercise under different conditions, focusing on irisin, adiponectin, and β-endorphins, alongside traditional markers of muscle damage and perceived soreness. The thesis comprises five studies, including four experimental investigations in trained men and one exploratory pilot study in breast cancer survivors, providing novel insights into the regulation of these molecules and their relevance to training prescription and health. The first study investigated the acute response of irisin to an exhaustive resistance training protocol in young, resistance-trained men. Participants completed a whole-body routine performed to volitional failure, with blood samples collected at baseline, 15 min, 24 h, and 48 h post-exercise. The findings showed a transient increase in irisin alongside a substantial elevation in creatine kinase (CK), confirming muscle damage. Although irisin responses were heterogeneous and not temporally associated with CK dynamics, the data suggest that irisin release is not simply a by-product of muscle disruption but may instead reflect broader systemic or metabolic regulation. The second study replicated the analysis under a buffered resistance training condition, in which sets were terminated with two repetitions …
author: MARANO, LUIGI
language: eng
keywords: Irisin, Adiponectin, β-Endorphin, Exercise Physiology, Resistance Exercise, Aerobic Exercise, Acute Exercise, Myokine, Endocrine Response, Physical Fitness, Settore MEDF-01/B - Metodi e didattiche delle attività sportive
date published: 2026-04-21
date modified: 2026-07-27T20:19:00Z
provider: Università degli Studi di Milano
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Università degli Studi di Milano

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1231582