Molecular effects of physical activity and body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal article
Chambers, J., Roscoe, C., Chidley, C., Wisniewska, A. and Duggirala, A. 2025. Molecular effects of physical activity and body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 22 (4), pp. 1-22. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040637
| Authors | Chambers, J., Roscoe, C., Chidley, C., Wisniewska, A. and Duggirala, A. |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Physical activity (PA) and body composition are important lifestyle factors that influence public health. Research suggests that DNA regions (CpG site locations) are differentially methylated in a physically active population. This meta-analysis aimed to identify CpG sites associated with various levels of PA and associated metabolic pathways. The meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines using PubMed, SportDISCUS, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane and Web of Science. Epigenomic analyses performed on DNA of participants with no underlying health conditions were included. Articles were screened using Rayyan AI and extracted CpG sites, and their location were confirmed using the EWAS catalogue. Six studies comprising 770 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was performed on clinical metrics extracted from the six studies and showed that BMI, blood pressure, insulin and glucose testing are significantly improved upon PA intervention. Amongst the included studies, a total of 257 CpG sites were differentially methylated in physically active participants, with 134 CpGs located in 92 genes associated with obesity-related pathways. The identified differentially methylated genes either belonged to the lipid metabolism or insulin signalling pathway. The genes which were differentially regulated in multiple tissue types and studies are JAZF1 (insulin signalling, and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism pathways) and NAV1 (mTOR signalling pathway). In conclusion, the current epigenomic meta-analysis showed that PA levels induce differential DNA methylation signatures on genes that affect metabolism. To understand the positive molecular effects of PA, further research on the above candidate genes needs to be conducted amongst various levels of a physically active population. |
| Keywords | epigenetics; genetics; biomarker; methylation; CpG; obesity; physical activity; body composition; BMI; body mass index |
| Year | 2025 |
| Journal | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
| Journal citation | 22 (4), pp. 1-22 |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| ISSN | 1660-4601 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040637 |
| Web address (URL) | https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph |
| Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
| Output status | Published |
| Publication dates | 18 Apr 2025 |
| Publication process dates | |
| Accepted | 15 Apr 2025 |
| Deposited | 24 Apr 2025 |
Permalink -
https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/qxvy6/molecular-effects-of-physical-activity-and-body-composition-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis
Download files
7
total views0
total downloads7
views this month0
downloads this month
Export as
Related outputs
Differential expression of maternal plasma micrornas and their respective gene targets can predict early fetal growth restriction
Kolawole, E., Duggirala, A., Gronow, O., Wisniewska, A., Hu, J. and Tan, B. K. 2025. Differential expression of maternal plasma micrornas and their respective gene targets can predict early fetal growth restriction. Life. 15 (2), pp. 1-16. https://doi.org//10.3390/life15020167ColdZyme® reduces viral load and upper respiratory tract infection duration and protects airway epithelia from infection with human rhinoviruses
Davison, Glen, Schoeman, Marlene, Chidley, C., Dulson, Deborah, Schweighofer, Paul, Witting, Christina, Posch, Wilfried, Matta, Guilherme, Consoli, Claudia, Farley, Kyle, McCullough, Conor and Wilflingseder, Doris 2025. ColdZyme® reduces viral load and upper respiratory tract infection duration and protects airway epithelia from infection with human rhinoviruses. The Journal of Physiology. pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1113/jp288136Characteristics of the outdoor environment affording physical activity, motor competence, and social interactions in children aged 3–7 years: a systematic review
Taylor, N., Roscoe, C. and Pringle, A. 2024. Characteristics of the outdoor environment affording physical activity, motor competence, and social interactions in children aged 3–7 years: a systematic review. Children. 11 (12), pp. 1-29. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11121491Physical Literacy and Physical Activity in Early Years Education: What’s Known, What’s Done, and What’s Needed?"
Weir, N., Pringle, A. and Roscoe, C. 2024. Physical Literacy and Physical Activity in Early Years Education: What’s Known, What’s Done, and What’s Needed?". Children. 11 (11), p. 1355. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11111355Self-compassion improves barrier self-efficacy and subsequently physical activity: A test of longitudinal mediation using a representative sample of the United Kingdom
Zhang, S., Pringle, A. and Roscoe, C. 2024. Self-compassion improves barrier self-efficacy and subsequently physical activity: A test of longitudinal mediation using a representative sample of the United Kingdom. British Journal of Health Psychology. pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12757Safety Nets: A Social Prescribing Intervention to Support Young People on CAMHS Waiting Lists
Garside, M., Taylor, A., Dias, R., Powell, L., Parker, J., Fenton, C and Roscoe, C. 2024. Safety Nets: A Social Prescribing Intervention to Support Young People on CAMHS Waiting Lists. Child & Youth Services. 13, pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/0145935X.2024.2389114Inclusivity in prostate cancer and exercise research: a systematic review
Ashton, R., Faghy, M., Roscoe, C. and Aning, J. 2024. Inclusivity in prostate cancer and exercise research: a systematic review. Supportive care in cancer. 32 (616), pp. 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-08793-9Multi stakeholder Perspectives of the Determinants of Family Fundamental Movement Skills Practice: A Qualitative Systematic Review
Flynn, R., Pringle, A. and Roscoe, C. 2024. Multi stakeholder Perspectives of the Determinants of Family Fundamental Movement Skills Practice: A Qualitative Systematic Review. Children. 11 (9), pp. 1-27. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11091066Blood Biomarkers of Long COVID: A Systematic Review
Callum Thomas, Mark A. Faghy, Corinna Chidley, Bethan E. Phillips, Thomas Bewick and Ruth E Ashton 2024. Blood Biomarkers of Long COVID: A Systematic Review. Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy. pp. 1-38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40291-024-00731-zDirect Parent Engagement to Improve Fundamental Movement Skills in Children: A Systematic Review
Flynn, R., Pringle, A. and Roscoe, C. 2024. Direct Parent Engagement to Improve Fundamental Movement Skills in Children: A Systematic Review . British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).The Impact of Swimming on Fundamental Movement Skill Development in Children (3-11 years): A Systematic Review
Sinclair, L. and Roscoe, C. 2024. The Impact of Swimming on Fundamental Movement Skill Development in Children (3-11 years): A Systematic Review . DCD15-IMDRC6 Conference’ in Ghent, Belgium. DCD – Developmental Coordination Disorder 15th conference and I-MDRC - International Motor Development Research Consortium 6th conference. .The physiologic benefits of optimizing cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity – From the cell to systems level in a post-pandemic world
Faghy, M., Tatler, A., Chidley, C., Fryer, S., Stoner, L., Laddu, D., Arena, R. and Ashton, R. 2024. The physiologic benefits of optimizing cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity – From the cell to systems level in a post-pandemic world. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. pp. 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2024.02.006Developing effective strategies to optimize physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in the long Covid population- The need for caution and objective assessment
Faghy, M., Duncan, R., Hume, E., Gough, L., Roscoe, C., Laddu, D., Arena, R., Ashton, R. and Dalton, C. 2024. Developing effective strategies to optimize physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in the long Covid population- The need for caution and objective assessment. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2024.03.003Impact and Implementation of an Early Years Fundamental Motor Skills Intervention for Children 4–5 Years
Roscoe, C., Taylor, N., Weir, N., Flynn, R. and Pringle, A. 2024. Impact and Implementation of an Early Years Fundamental Motor Skills Intervention for Children 4–5 Years. Children. 11 (4), p. 416. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040416Effective Working with Parents
Roscoe, C., Woodward, J. and Roscoe, M. 2023. Effective Working with Parents. in: Duncan, M., Noon, M. and Seabra, A. (ed.) Science and Practice of Youth Soccer New York Routledge - Taylor and Francis. pp. 1-16The Impact of Swimming on Fundamental Movement Skill Development in Children (3–11 Years): A Systematic Literature Review
Roscoe, C. and Sinclair, L. 2023. The Impact of Swimming on Fundamental Movement Skill Development in Children (3–11 Years): A Systematic Literature Review. Children. 10 (8), pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10081411Direct Parent Engagement to Improve Fundamental Movement Skills in Children: A Systematic Review
Flynn, R., Pringle, A. and Roscoe, C. 2023. Direct Parent Engagement to Improve Fundamental Movement Skills in Children: A Systematic Review. Children. 10 (7), pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10071247The Effects of Physical Activity on Academic Performance in School-Aged Children: A Systematic Review
James, J, Pringle, A., Mourton, S. and Roscoe, C. 2023. The Effects of Physical Activity on Academic Performance in School-Aged Children: A Systematic Review. Children. 10 (6), p. 1019. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.3390/children10061019Improving Fundamental Movement Skills during Early Childhood: An Intervention Mapping Approach
Alexandra Patricia Dobell, Mark A. Faghy, Andy Pringle, Clare M. P. Roscoe and Faghy, M. 2023. Improving Fundamental Movement Skills during Early Childhood: An Intervention Mapping Approach. Children. 10 (6), pp. 1-36. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10061004Self-Compassion and Physical Activity: The Underpinning Role of Psychological Distress and Barrier Self-Efficacy
Zhang, S., Roscoe, C. and Pringle, A. 2023. Self-Compassion and Physical Activity: The Underpinning Role of Psychological Distress and Barrier Self-Efficacy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 20 (2), p. 1480. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021480Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Fitness Are Key Correlates of Tactical Soccer Skill in Grassroots Soccer Players Aged 8–14 Years
Duncan, M., Clarke, N, Bolt, L, Eyre, E and Roscoe, C. 2022. Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Fitness Are Key Correlates of Tactical Soccer Skill in Grassroots Soccer Players Aged 8–14 Years. Journal of Motor Learning and Development. pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2021-0061An Investigation into the Physical Activity Experiences of People Living with and beyond Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Pringle, A., Rutherford, Z. and Roscoe, C. 2022. An Investigation into the Physical Activity Experiences of People Living with and beyond Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (5), pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052945The Role of Physical Activity in Cancer Recovery: An Exercise Practitioner’s Perspective
Roscoe, C., Barratt, B, Pringle, A., Chandler, C. and Faghy, M. 2022. The Role of Physical Activity in Cancer Recovery: An Exercise Practitioner’s Perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (6), p. 3600. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063600
Motor Competence Among Children in the United Kingdom and Ireland: An Expert Statement on Behalf of the International Motor Development Research Consortium
Duncan, Michael J., Foweather, Lawrence, Bardid, Farid, Barnett, Anna L., Rudd, James, O’Brien, Wesley, Foulkes, Jonathan D., Roscoe, C., Issartel, Johann, Stratton, Gareth and Clark, Cain C.T. 2022. Motor Competence Among Children in the United Kingdom and Ireland: An Expert Statement on Behalf of the International Motor Development Research Consortium. Journal of Motor Learning and Development. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2021-0047Physical activity: understanding and addressing inequalities
Jackson, Jessica, Roscoe, Clare M. P. and Mourton, Niamh 2021. Physical activity: understanding and addressing inequalities. Public Health England.Authors' Responses to Peer Review of “Influence of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Physical and Psychosocial Well-being and Work Productivity of Remote Workers: Cross-sectional Correlational Study”
Yessica Abigail Tronco Hernández, Fabio Parente, Mark A Faghy, Clare M P Roscoe and Maratos, F. 2021. Authors' Responses to Peer Review of “Influence of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Physical and Psychosocial Well-being and Work Productivity of Remote Workers: Cross-sectional Correlational Study”. JMIR Publications. https://doi.org/10.2196/34609Influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on remote workers’ physical and psychosocial wellbeing and work productivity
Yessica Abigail Tronco Hernandez, Fabio Parente, Mark A. Faghy, Clare M. P. Roscoe and Maratos, F. 2021. Influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on remote workers’ physical and psychosocial wellbeing and work productivity. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/dnuk3UK University staff experience high levels of sedentary behaviour during work and leisure time
Faghy, Mark, Roscoe, C., Pringle, Andy, Duncan, Mike and Buchanan Meharry, John 2021. UK University staff experience high levels of sedentary behaviour during work and leisure time. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. 28 (2), pp. 1104-1111. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2021.1874704Multi-Component Physical Activity Interventions in the UK Must Consider Determinants of Activity to Increase Effectiveness
Faghy, Mark, Armstrong-Booth, Kirsty E, Staples, Vicki, Duncan, Micheal J and Roscoe, Clare M P 2021. Multi-Component Physical Activity Interventions in the UK Must Consider Determinants of Activity to Increase Effectiveness. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 6 (3), p. 56. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk6030056Influence of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Physical and Psychosocial Well-being and Work Productivity of Remote Workers: Cross-sectional Correlational Study (Preprint)
Yessica Abigail Tronco Hernández, Fabio Parente, Mark A Faghy, Clare M P Roscoe, Frances A Maratos and Faghy, M. 2021. Influence of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Physical and Psychosocial Well-being and Work Productivity of Remote Workers: Cross-sectional Correlational Study (Preprint). JMIR. https://doi.org/10.2196/preprints.30708The 24-h Movement Compositions in Weekday, Weekend Day or Four-Day Periods Differentially Associate with Fundamental Movement Skills
Roscoe, C., Duncan, Michael, J and Clark, Cain, C. T 2021. The 24-h Movement Compositions in Weekday, Weekend Day or Four-Day Periods Differentially Associate with Fundamental Movement Skills. Children. 8 (10), p. 828. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8100828Educators Perspectives on the Value of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Fundamental Movement Skills for Early Years Foundation Stage Children in England.
Dobell, Alexandra, Pringle, Andy, Faghy, Mark and Roscoe, Clare M P 2021. Educators Perspectives on the Value of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Fundamental Movement Skills for Early Years Foundation Stage Children in England. Children. 8 (5), p. 338. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8050338Run, jump, throw and catch: How proficient are children attending English schools at the fundamental motor skills identified as key within the school curriculum?
Duncan, Michael J, Roscoe, Clare M. P., Noon, Mark, Clark, Cain CT, O’Brien, Wesley and Eyre, Emma LJ 2019. Run, jump, throw and catch: How proficient are children attending English schools at the fundamental motor skills identified as key within the school curriculum? European Physical Education Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x19888953Cross validation of actigraph derived accelerometer cut‐points for assessment of sedentary behaviour and physical activity in children aged 8‐11 years
Duncan, Michael J., Eyre, Emma L.J., Cox, Val, Roscoe, C., Faghy, Mark, Tallis, Jason and Dobell, Alexandra 2020. Cross validation of actigraph derived accelerometer cut‐points for assessment of sedentary behaviour and physical activity in children aged 8‐11 years. Acta Paediatrica. 109 (9), pp. 1825-1830. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.15189Fundamental movement skills and accelerometer-measured physical activity levels during early childhood: a systematic review
Dobell, Alexandra, Pringle, Andy, Faghy, Mark and Roscoe, Clare M. P. 2020. Fundamental movement skills and accelerometer-measured physical activity levels during early childhood: a systematic review. MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.3390/children7110224Calibration and cross-validation of accelerometery for estimating movement skills in children aged 8–12 years
Duncan, M., Dobell, A., Noon, M., Clark, C.T., Roscoe, C., Stodden, D., Sacko, R., Eyre, E. and Faghy, M. 2020. Calibration and cross-validation of accelerometery for estimating movement skills in children aged 8–12 years. Sensors. 20 (10), p. 2776. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20102776Accelerometer-based physical activity levels, fundamental movement skills and weight status in British preschool children from a deprived area
Roscoe, Clare M. P., James, Rob S. and Duncan, Michael J. 2019. Accelerometer-based physical activity levels, fundamental movement skills and weight status in British preschool children from a deprived area. European Journal of Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-019-03390-zAccelerometer-based physical activity levels differ between week and weekend ways in British preschool children
Roscoe, C., James, Rob S. and Duncan, Michael J. 2019. Accelerometer-based physical activity levels differ between week and weekend ways in British preschool children. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 4 (3), p. 65. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk4030065Estimating physical activity in children aged 8–11 Years using Accelerometry: Contributions from fundamental movement skills and different Accelerometer placements
Duncan, Mike, Roscoe, Clare M. P., Faghy, Mark, Tallis, Jason and Eyre, Emma 2019. Estimating physical activity in children aged 8–11 Years using Accelerometry: Contributions from fundamental movement skills and different Accelerometer placements. Frontiers in Physiology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00242Systematic identification of genetic influences on methylation across the human life course.
Tom R. Gaunt, Hashem A. Shihab, Gibran Hemani,, Josine L. Min, Geoff Woodward, Oliver Lyttleton, Jie Zheng, Duggirala, A., Wendy L. McArdle, Karen Ho, Susan M. Ring, David M. Evans, George Davey Smith and Caroline L. Relton 2018. Systematic identification of genetic influences on methylation across the human life course. Genome biology. Vol 17 (2016, Article: 61). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-016-0926-zDual Role of CREB in The Regulation of VSMC Proliferation: Mode of Activation Determines Pro- or Anti-Mitogenic Function.
Duggirala, A. 2018. Dual Role of CREB in The Regulation of VSMC Proliferation: Mode of Activation Determines Pro- or Anti-Mitogenic Function. Scientific Reports. Vol 8 (Issue 1, Article: 4904). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-23199-4Calibration of GENEActiv accelerometer wrist cut-points for the assessment of physical activity intensity of preschool aged children
Roscoe, Clare M. P., James, Rob S. and Duncan, Michael J. 2017. Calibration of GENEActiv accelerometer wrist cut-points for the assessment of physical activity intensity of preschool aged children. European Journal of Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-017-2948-2Preschool staff and parents? Perceptions of preschool children's physical activity and fundamental movement skills from an area of high deprivation: a qualitative study
Roscoe, Clare M. P., James, Rob S. and Duncan, Michael J. 2017. Preschool staff and parents? Perceptions of preschool children's physical activity and fundamental movement skills from an area of high deprivation: a qualitative study. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2017.1322630