Researchers at MIT, GE HealthCare, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point have developed a computational model that connects molecular signals in the blood to physical fitness levels.
The model, named PhenoMol, analyzes over 50,000 biomarkers to identify biological pathways that support physical performance. Findings were published in Communications Biology.
Study Overview
- The study involved 86 cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point who were training for the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition.
- Blood samples were collected before and after intense exercise over a three-month period.
- Researchers measured DNA methylation patterns, messenger RNA transcripts, and thousands of proteins and small molecules.
Key Findings
The model identified over 100 biomarkers linked to performance on the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), which includes a 2-mile run, maximum deadlift, and sprint-drag-carry test.
PhenoMol's predictions were more accurate than models that did not account for network interactions between biomarkers.
Biological Pathways Identified
Three critical pathways were found to support physical performance:
- Blood coagulation and complement cascade – involved in recovery from tissue injury and stress response during exercise
- Urea cycle – eliminates ammonia from protein breakdown
- Mitochondrial function – energy generation within cells
Potential Applications
- Athletic training, injury recovery, rehabilitation after disease, and monitoring age-related capacity loss
- Could be used in clinical trials to test supplements and fitness programs
- Researchers aim to simplify the biomarker panel for easy blood testing
The research was funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).