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Gym Rats Can Thank Their DNA

Desire to work out linked to genes, twin study suggests

By Mat Probasco, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 7, 2009 4:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – People driven to pump iron or chill out on the sofa may differ as much in their DNA as they do in their activity levels, reports the Los Angeles Times. Scientists have discovered that identical twins are twice as likely to have similar workout habits as fraternal twins, indicating exercise may be linked to genetics.

Results from more than 20 studies of identical twins—genetic duplicates—and fraternal twins—who share half their genes—are nearly unanimous. Genetic make-up appears to account for as much as 78% of an individual's desire to do physical activity, say researchers. Hoping to dermine why, scientists have bred a strain of super-runner mice in a bid to discover how they process dopamine differently than regular mice.

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A twin study has found workout habits are twice as similar between identical twins, compared to fraternal twins, indicating a genetic component of exercise levels. (©lu_lu)

Couch potatoes may find their lack of exercise linked to genes. (©graffiti.freiburg)

Levels of activity may be linked to genes, scientists have discovered. (©SashaW)

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"As we learn more about genetic factors, that may shed light on why these programs (to increase physical activity) don't work as well as we'd like." - Physiologist Joey Eisenmann at Michigan State University

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Gym Rats Can Thank Their DNA