Role of swimming in regulating microRNA and strengthening the heart muscle revealed
Scientific evidence has shown that swimming is more effective than running in terms of improving the structure and strength of the heart. An experiment conducted on animal models revealed that, despite an equal improvement in overall endurance, only swimming caused significant changes in the left ventricular mass and the molecular composition of the tissues. These findings suggest that different types of aerobic exercise trigger specific mechanisms for protecting and developing the cardiovascular system.
Traditionally, running and swimming are considered to be equivalent ways of strengthening heart health, but a new study has revealed significant differences in their effects on the body. A team of researchers led by Professor Andrei Jorge Serra analyzed the adaptation of the heart to physical activity over an eight-week period. The study involved three groups: a control group (without any activity), a running group, and a swimming group. The intensity of the training sessions was comparable and was determined based on the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) rate.
During the study, it was observed that both active groups increased their endurance by more than 5%. However, key differences were found when studying the anatomy of the heart. Only the swimming group showed an increase in the total heart mass and left ventricular mass, indicating the development of healthy physiological hypertrophy. Running did not lead to statistically significant changes in myocardial structure compared to the sedentary group.
The main reason for this superiority of swimming lies at the molecular level. Swimming significantly modulates the function of microRNAs, molecules that control protein synthesis in cells. These changes directly affect angiogenesis, the process of forming new blood vessels in heart tissues, and also protect cells from programmed death. In addition, swimming improves the contractility of the myocardium and increases its resistance to oxidative stress.
This discovery is important for clinical medicine and sports science. It proves that the choice of sport is crucial in situations that require heart muscle recovery or rehabilitation after diseases. The results of this work challenge the practice of using running and swimming as interchangeable disciplines in scientific research on the cardiovascular system. Understanding the specific molecular pathways activated by swimming will allow for more precise training programs to strengthen the heart in the future.
Published
April, 2026
Category
Medicine
Duration of reading
2-3 min
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Source
Scientific journal Scientific Reports. Article: Swimming is superior to running in inducing physiological cardiac hypertrophy and enhancing myocardial performance
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