Resistance training performed by parents modulates offspring adiposity and insulin sensitivity

Physical exercise is one of many environmental variables that may affect an organism through epigenetic mechanisms, and thus, it may be passed on to the offspring.

We assessed the effect of resistance training by the parents on mice offspring.

Training protocol lasted eight weeks, being males and females paired for mating. After birth, the litters were adjusted to eight pups, organised into four groups: sedentary parents (SS), trained parents (TT), sedentary fathers and trained mothers (ST), and trained fathers and sedentary mothers (TS). Male and female pups were analysed separately at the age of 21 days. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis was applied when appropriate at the significance level of p < 0.05.

Resistance training improved the strength of both male and female parents. HOMA-IR index of the female offspring of groups ST and TS was improved, as well as that of the male offspring of groups TT and ST. In addition, there was a discrete reduction of adiposity in the offspring when at least one of the parents was trained.

Therefore, parental resistance training improved insulin sensitivity and adiposity of male and female offspring suggesting resistance training as a beneficial preconception health strategy for better metabolic outcomes in future generations.