The decline in muscle function during aging and obesity can be counteracted by exercise training. Our understanding of the adaptive responses in skeletal muscle to exercise training has advanced due to various omic approaches; yet the functional consequences of many players involved in these processes are not defined.

In the present PhD study, I aimed to uncover the role of two new potential regulators of training-mediated health benefits: SRA stem-loop interacting RNA-binding protein (SLIRP) and Traf2- and Nck interacting protein kinase (TNIK).

In addition, mechanisms of actions of SLIRP and TNIK in skeletal muscle biology and the adaptive response to ET were evaluated separately.

This PhD project provides novel insights into the complexity of adaptive responses of skeletal muscle and non-skeletal-muscle tissues, including liver and adipose tissue in response to ET and/or diet.

My findings underline exercise training as a frontline strategy against mitochondrial and metabolism-associated diseases and further suggest TNIK as potential pharmacological target to inspire the conception of new therapeutic strategies against metabolism-associated diseases in obesity.