The great couch potato debate – laziness or legacy?

An interesting article in the LA Times recently, challenged the idea that the lack of motivation to exercise might actually be genetic!The article examined various studies that were based on the exercise habits of identical (genetic duplicates), versus fraternal (share half genes on average), twins.

Findings showed that the exercise habits of identical twins were twice as closely matched, compared to those of fraternal twins. And so, the conclusion on this, and further studies, implied that there was a genetic influence on peoples desire to exercise.

Further research involved looking at mice, and their running habits. The results concluded that mice who ran continuously in their wheels (high runners), had far higher levels of a dopamine receptor (D2) in their brain, than their lazier brethren. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter linked to the brains complex system of motivation and reward. Bottom line, the high runners, with their increased level of dopamine receptors, gained far more pleasure from spinning wheels all day. When its put like that, who can blame the ordinary mice for their languid lifestyle?!

However, before we can start pinpointing genetics as the defining factor for our less than active lives, apparently environment plays as big a part. Faced with an escalator and a stairs, we tend to opt for the escalator each and every time. Looking at how far we have come in terms of developing technology to make our lives easier, its a wonder we do any exercise at all.

Fitness fanatic or couch potato? Blame your DNA – LA Times

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