This is part 11 in “Muscle: The Organ that Powers Vitality”
In this series, discover how skeletal muscle, the body’s largest organ, impacts health and longevity. From regulating hormones and blood sugar to boosting brain health, muscles are far more than just a source of strength.
Ever wonder why on some days you can’t wait to hit the gym while on others just lacing up your sneakers feels like a chore? The answer may not just be in your mind but in your muscles.
New research suggests that during exercise, your muscles send signals to your brain that boost performance and intensify the desire to keep going—a finding that could change our understanding of fitness and motivation.
The Muscle-Brain Connection
During exercise, our muscles do more than simply contract—they actively communicate with the rest of the body—particularly the brain. This happens through proteins known as myokines, which are released as muscles work. One specific myokine, interleukin-15 (IL-15), has captured researchers’ attention for its role in this process.
