SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Everyone knows that exercise improves health, and ongoing research continues to uncover increasingly detailed information on its benefits for metabolism, circulation, and improved functioning of organs such as the heart, brain, and liver. With this knowledge in hand, scientists may be better equipped to develop "exercise pills" that could mimic at least some of the beneficial effects of physical exercise on the body. But a review of current development efforts, publishing October 2 in Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, ponders whether such pills will achieve their potential therapeutic impact, at least in the near future.
"We have recognized the need for exercise pills for some time, and this is an achievable goal based on our improved understanding of the molecular targets of physical exercise," says coauthor Ismail Laher, of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
Several laboratories are developing exercise pills, which at this early stage are being tested in animals to primarily target skeletal muscle performance and improve strength and energy use—essentially producing stronger and faster muscles. But of course the benefits of exercise are far greater than its effects on only muscles.
Couch potatoes would rejoice, of course, but exercise pills could also benefit the bed-ridden or astronauts who spend extended periods in microgravity.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by EQ on Sunday October 04 2015, @08:48AM
Think of the ability to provide exercise benefits to patients who are restricted to bed. For instance, post-surgical recovery from major surgery (open heart surgeries for instance) would be one of the best places for this. The same goes for people suffering from disease processes that prevent them from exercising, like heart failure, COPD, cystic fibrosis, various cancers, or even used temporarily for something as simple as a bone fracture to an arm or leg that prevents you from exercising for a while. Also, think about the ability to provide exercise benefits to paralytics. Os this is not just for "couch potato" people - it has great medical applicability.