Impact of parental exercise on epigenetic modifications inherited by offspring: A systematic review

Performing regular exercise is associated with numerous health benefits including a reduction in all-cause mortality. The mechanisms associated with exercise-induced health improvements are wide ranging and benefit virtually every organ system in the body. Of significance, recent evidence has suggested that some of these protective benefits may also be passed to offspring through multiple generations via alterations in gamete presentation, changes to the in-utero and offspring rearing environments, and epigenetic modifications. The purpose of this review was to systematically examine the current literature for evidence of exercise-induced epigenetic modifications in offspring. A systematic search yielded four papers that met inclusion criteria. Parental exercise interventions were associated with differential DNA methylation patterns in offspring. These shifts in methylation patterns were consistent with concurrent changes in offspring mRNA levels, protein expression, and functional measures. Many of the observed changes were related to metabolic pathways. Hence, the evidence suggests that exercise-induced epigenetic changes can be observed in offspring and may play a pivotal role among the multifactorial intergenerational-health impact of exercise.