shortened with each cellular division. This shortening leads to changes in the expression of several genes that encode vital proteins with critical functions in many tissues throughout the body, and ultimately impacts cardiovascular, immune and muscle physiology. Exer-cise impacts DNA methylation and telomere length positively, but is shorter in over-trained athletes. 30 Exer-cise may also regulate sperm telomere length with six weeks of intense exer-cise training. 31 Parents can affect their offspring as shown by a systemic summary report-ing that exercise-induced epigenetic changes can be observed in offspring and may play a pivotal role among the multifactorial intergenerational-health impact of exercise, 32 and on cognitive benefit, which may be associated with hippocampal epigenetic programming in offspring. 33 Paternal exercise pro-tects changes in fetus development and placenta inflammation. It also promotes modifications in the ncRNA profiles, gene and protein expression in the hippocampus, left ventricle, skeletal muscle, tendons, liver and pancreas in the offspring, and provides a warning on the harmful effects of a paternal unhealthy lifestyle. 34 In a landmark study, researchers mapped the genome-wide positions and activities of enhancers in skeletal muscle biopsies collected from young sedentary men pre and post six weeks of endurance exercise. There was evidence of a func-tional link between epigenetic rewiring of enhancers to control their activity after exercise training and the modulation of disease risk in humans. 35 This would in-dicate that exercise is preventative via its constant reinforcement of several physi-ological systems, and optimal levels of physical exercise/activity are essential for optimal health and wellbeing. 36 In a groundbreaking study which Reversing epigenic age included 43 healthy adult males be-tween the ages of 50 and 72, half of the participants followed an eight-week treatment program that included diet, sleep, exercise -30 mins/day, and relax-ation guidance plus supplemental pro-biotics and phytonutrients. The remain-ing participants served as the control group and received no intervention. The researchers conducted DNAm analysis on saliva samples from partici-pants, and epigenetic age was calculated using the online Horvath DNAmAge clock. Results found that the diet and lifestyle treatment in eight weeks was associated with a 3.23 year decrease in DNAmAge compared with controls. 37 The exercise-induced epigenetic imprint can be transient or permanent and contributes to the muscle memory, which allows the skeletal muscle to adapt to the exercise stimuli previously encountered. Exercise is health. For the list of references, please visit cndoc-tor.ca/atp-longevity STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR THE CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE Today’s chiropractors are practicing in a competitive environment, and many practices fail because they are not based on a realistic action plan. Practices must be executed in the same way as successful business enterprises. Planning your ideal practice is easy if you follow the eighteen step-by-step exercises in Strategic Planning for the Chiropractic Practice . Through developing a mission statement, objectives, and operational plans, this guide will help you create a custom-built action plan to grow your practice and attain your goals. $148.45 Item #0763750855 Scan Code to Buy Book 877-267-3473 www.Cndoctor.ca annexbookstore.com CND_BOOKSTORE_JAN22_GWJ.indd 1 January/February 2022 Chiropractic and Naturopathic Doctor 19 2022-01-05 11:52 AM
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