Physical exercise has a great demand for the human body, so it is very important to understand its response to intense exercise. This knowledge can help improve performance and reduce physically required jobs such as firefighting, law enforcement, and sports. A new study led by Dr. Justin Teeguarden and Dr. Kristin Burnum-Johnson of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory explores how the body adapts to physical labor. Their findings, published in the journal Military Medical Research, examined biological changes that occur during intense exercise.
Dr. Teeguarden and Dr. Burnum-Johnson analyzed blood, urine, and saliva samples from a group of field firefighters, before and after the hard workout lasted less than an hour. They identified thousands of different proteins that are molecules that perform important functions in the body. Fat, fat that stores energy; and small molecules that help regulate body function. This analysis reveals key patterns related to tissue damage, energy use, and immune system response. “Our research highlights how the body maintains balance and adapts to strong physical efforts,” Dr. Teeguarden said.
Changes in blood samples showed obvious signs of muscle strains and the body’s efforts to repair itself. Higher levels of structural proteins that provide support to tissues were detected and factors that promote tissue reconstruction. Meanwhile, the body changes the way it uses the fat for energy rather than breaking down shorter, more easily accessible fatty acids that are the basis of fat. In addition, the process of converting sugar into metabolic energy is highly active, helping to meet the increased energy demand.
Examining urine samples provides valuable information on how the body maintains hydration, namely the balance of water in the body and the essential nutrients. Scientists have noticed an increase in hormone activity, involving chemical messengers that regulate processes such as blood pressure and fluid level. This shows that the body is working to retain water and essential nutrients, which is important for maintaining endurance and preventing dehydration during prolonged periods of fatigue.
The researchers looked at the saliva sample and observed unexpected changes in immune activity, the body’s defense system against infection. Lowers the levels of proteins that trigger inflammation, the body’s natural response to damage or infection, and natural antibacterial substances help fight bacteria and viruses. This means that although the body may temporarily suppress inflammation, it can strengthen its defense against infection. However, a review of past research suggests that individuals engaged in intense exercise may be more susceptible to respiratory infections, which may be due to short-term changes in immune function.
The discovery of Dr. Teeguarden and Dr. Burnum-Johnson provides a deeper understanding of how the body manages stress during high-intensity activities. By learning more about these processes, scientists can develop better strategies to support recovery, improve performance, and reduce health risks in body demanding roles. Future research may focus on targeted approaches such as nutrition, which are research on food and its impact on health and recovery techniques, which are ways to help the body heal and restore strength to help the body adapt more effectively.
Journal Reference
Nakayasu ES, Gritsenko MA, Kim YM, Kyle JE, Stratton KG, Nicora CD, Munoz N., Navarro KM, Claborne D., Gao Y., Gao Y., Weitz KK, Paulus VL, Bloodsworth KJ, Allen KJ, Allen KA, Allen Ka, Bramer LM, Montes F. KE “Elaborate the Regulation Process of Fierce Physical Activity through Tamological Analysis.” Military Medical Research, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40779-023-00477-5
About the Author
Dr. Justin Teeguarden is an outstanding scientist specializing in environmental health, toxicology and human exposure assessment. With extensive experience in biochemical research, he contributed to understanding how environmental and occupational stressors affect human health. His expertise covers computational modeling, chemical risk assessment and domotic analysis, helping to bridge the gap between laboratory discovery and real-world applications. Dr. Teeguarden has been a leading researcher at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where he played a crucial role in the study of human resilience to physical and environmental stress.
Dr. Kristin Burnum-Johnson Is an outstanding biochemist focusing on systems biology and analytical chemistry. Her work involves using late-stage mass spectrometry and molecular analysis to explore how biological systems cope with stress, disease, and environmental changes. As a senior scientist at the Northwest Pacific National Laboratory, Dr. Burnum-Johnson leads groundbreaking research on metabolism, immune responses, and exercise physiology, providing valuable insights into human health and performance.
