Barbell Shrugged

How Lifting Weights Affects Your Genetics w/ Dr. Kevin Murach, Anders Varner, and Doug Larson #748

May 22, 2024

Dr. Kevin Murach discusses how weightlifting affects genetics, highlighting gene expression in muscle growth. The podcast delves into the importance of education in training, an athlete summit event, and the speaker's journey in exercise physiology. It also explores muscle recovery, factors influencing muscle growth, genetic influence on weightlifting, manipulation of cells for muscle growth, and post-workout nutrition for protein synthesis.

54:16

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Episode guests

Kevin Murach

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Quick takeaways

Lifting weights activates genes for muscle growth through epigenetics.

Timing and duration of gene activation post-exercise influence muscle adaptation.

Controlled gene activation in mice models demonstrates potential for muscle hypertrophy.

Deep dives

Lifting Weights Affects Genes Through Epigenetics

Lifting weights impacts genetic activity through epigenetics, turning on and off specific genes to promote muscle growth. Dr. Kevin Murak discusses how gene activation following resistance training creates a muscular adaptive response.

Introduction

2min

Importance of Education in Training and Praise for Sports Facility

2min

Discussion on an Upcoming Athlete Summit Event and Guest Appearance

2min

Exploring the Speaker's Academic and Professional Journey in Exercise Physiology

5min

Exploring Muscle Recovery Post-Exercise

7min

Exploring Factors Influencing Muscle Growth Post-Exercise

3min

Genetic Influence on Muscle Growth and Weightlifting

14min

Manipulation of Cells and Genetic Factors in Muscle Growth

17min

Exploring Post-Workout Nutrition and Protein Synthesis

3min

Kevin A. Murach, Ph.D., received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned the Ronald Hyatt Scholarship in Exercise Science. After graduating, Dr. Murach completed a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology at James Madison University at Harrisonburg, Virginia, then earned his Ph.D. in Human Bioenergetics from the Ball State Human Performance Laboratory in Muncie, Indiana. His dissertation was a collaboration with NASA aimed at optimizing the exercise prescription for astronauts on the International Space Station.

After Ball State, Dr. Murach spent six years as a post-doctoral fellow/scholar at the University of Kentucky Center for Muscle Biology in Lexington under the guidance of Drs. Charlotte Peterson and John McCarthy. During this time, he was supported by two National Institutes of Health grants (F32 and K99), was recipient of the Thomas V. Getchell Memorial Award from the University of Kentucky Grant Writing Workshop, won the 2017 FASEB BioArt contest and was an NIH NIA Butler-Williams Scholar.He now is an assistant professor in the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation in the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions.

His current research uses human muscle samples, primary cell culture and genetically modified mouse models to understand the molecular cues that drive exercise adaptations and aging, and the interaction between these two (among other things). In his free time, Dr. Murach enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Kyndal Murach, exercising, building custom watches, cooking, smoking meats and collecting bourbon.

He shared this preprint he recently posted: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.03.26.586857v1

Summary: This study investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle recovery after exercise, focusing on the temporal dynamics of gene expression and DNA methylation. Biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscle were taken before and at various time points (30 minutes, 3 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours) after resistance exercise (RE), along with a control group. RNA sequencing and DNA methylomics were employed to analyze gene expression and methylation patterns, respectively, complemented by computational methods.

Work with RAPID Health Optimization

Dr. Kevin Murach on Instagram

Anders Varner on Instagram

Doug Larson on Instagram

Coach Travis Mash on Instagram