npj Metabolic Health and Disease · Published 2026-07-29 · DOI 10.1038/s44324-026-00121-5
Ippei Kawano, Gad Asher
Abstract Skeletal muscle harbors cell-autonomous circadian clock that is implicated in muscle as well as systemic metabolic and physiological functions. Emerging evidence highlights how the muscle clock integrates time-signals to regulate physical activity. Physical activity imposes recurrent and temporally structured physiological and metabolic perturbations. Here we discuss the literature and propose that the muscle clock is well-positioned to execute anticipatory regulation by engaging metabolic programs in advance of predictable muscle demands.
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Kawano, I., Asher, G. (2026). Timing the strain: skeletal muscle clock as regulator of physical activity. npj Metabolic Health and Disease. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44324-026-00121-5