What the Hell are Myokines and Why Do They Matter?
In the rehab world, we talk a lot about restoring motion, reducing pain, and rebuilding strength. But there’s a deeper, often-overlooked process that drives real recovery—one that has implications far beyond injury rehab. That process is the release of myokines. And the most accessible, joint-safe, and effective way to activate them in your clinic? Isometric strength training.
So, what exactly are myokines?
Myokines are a class of proteins secreted by skeletal muscle during muscular contraction. Think of them as the body’s internal pharmaceutical factory—naturally produced by muscle and capable of influencing almost every system in the body. Myokines play a central role in reducing systemic inflammation, regulating metabolic health, supporting brain function, and accelerating tissue regeneration. And here’s the kicker—they’re not triggered by movement. They’re triggered by muscle activation, making isometric strength training an ideal stimulus.
One of the most well-studied myokines is interleukin-6 (IL-6). In disease, IL-6 is a marker of chronic inflammation. But when released through exercise—particularly controlled muscular contractions—it becomes a powerful anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulator. IL-6 improves glucose uptake, increases fat oxidation, and activates satellite cells essential for muscle repair. In the context of rehab, this means faster recovery from injury, better metabolic control, and reduced systemic inflammation—all without needing dynamic joint movement.
Other myokines, like BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), promote neuroplasticity, motor learning, and neuromuscular control. This is particularly relevant in post-stroke rehab or any condition involving central or peripheral nervous system dysfunction. Meanwhile, irisin, another contraction-induced myokine, supports mitochondrial function, may aid in tissue remodeling, and contributes to the maintenance of lean body mass—all critical factors in aging and recovery.
Why does this matter for healthspan?
Because sarcopenia, loss of tendon stiffness, declining neuromuscular coordination, and metabolic dysfunction are the hallmarks of aging—and they all accelerate in the absence of muscular contraction. By prioritizing isometric strength training in your rehab programs, you’re doing more than healing injuries—you’re actively influencing your patient’s biological aging. You’re building a system that’s more resilient to chronic disease, more stable under load, and more metabolically efficient.
Unlike traditional dynamic exercise, isometric training allows for targeted loading at specific joint angles. It gives you the precision to stimulate muscle safely—even when movement is contraindicated. Whether your patient is recovering from surgery, managing joint instability, or battling chronic pain, you can engage their musculature in a meaningful, therapeutic way—without risking further harm. That’s the unique power of isometric training.
Isophit provides a clinically safe platform to do this with precision. Whether your goal is early activation post-injury, tendon remodeling, or improving motor control in neuro patients, isometric protocols allow you to dose force without introducing velocity or unpredictable loading patterns.
And the benefits are systemic. The moment your patient begins to contract muscle, you’re not just working on the joint or muscle group in isolation—you’re triggering a cascade of myokine release that influences their whole body: their immune system, cardiovascular system, nervous system, and even brain health.
As rehab professionals, we must think beyond symptom resolution. Our role extends into preserving quality of life—not just for the next 6 weeks, but for the next 30 years. Isometric strength training doesn’t just help people move better. It helps them age better, live longer, and stay strong enough to do the things they love.
Myokines are the future of musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation. And isometric strength training is how we unlock their potential.
At Isophit, we help the world’s strongest, fastest, and most dominant athletes to win more, hurt less, and age stronger! Just imagine what we could do for you?
Join Team Isophit at www.isophit.com