San Antonio doctors to study how exercising benefits the body

SAN ANTONIO - The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and the UT Medical Branch at Galveston are working together to study how exercise changes the body at the molecular level. The clinic's received a $4.5 million grant, to be used over the next six years, from the National Institutes of Health.

“It’s still a mystery what is it about exercise that is able to promote health benefits,” Dr. Nicola Musi said.

Musi, who is the director of UTHSC’s Barshop Institute, and UTMB-Galveston Dr. Blake Rasmussen are leading the team. The team is one of six groups that will recruit healthy adults for an exercise study. Over a three-month span, doctors will collect blood, urine and tissues samples from active and sedentary volunteers who will perform resistance or aerobic exercises.

"We'll be able to understand it better and promote the development of future interventions for improving health,” Dr. Musi said.

The goal is to develop individually targeted exercise recommendations to better help those who are unable to exercise. The South Texas Veterans Health Care System will also partner with UTHSC and UTMB-Galveston.

The team is looking for volunteers who are 18 years and older. If you’re interested, call 210-450-0020.