Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
07:52
Assessment of Murine Exercise Endurance Without the Use of a Shock Grid: An Alternative to Forced Exercise
Published on: August 14, 2014
Current understanding of the genetic basis for physical activity
1Huffines' Institute for Sports Medicine and Human Performance, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845-4243, USA. TLightfoot@hlkn.tamu.edu
The Journal of Nutrition
|January 29, 2011
Summary
Physical inactivity is rising despite known health benefits of exercise. Genetic factors, like dopamine receptor 1 (Drd1) and Nhlh2, significantly influence physical activity levels, challenging purely environmental explanations.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Behavioral Biology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Physical activity offers significant health benefits, yet physical inactivity is increasing.
- This paradox suggests genetic factors may influence activity levels, contrary to solely environmental regulation theories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the genetic underpinnings of physical activity regulation.
- To identify candidate genes influencing voluntary physical activity levels.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent genetic and animal studies on activity levels.
- Analysis of evidence for candidate genes involved in physical activity regulation.
Main Results:
- Substantial genetic influence on physical activity levels is evident in humans and animals.
- Dopamine receptor 1 (Drd1) and nescient helix loop helix (Nhlh2) are identified as strong candidate genes.
Conclusions:
- Genetic factors play a crucial role in regulating physical activity.
- Further research is needed to identify more genes and elucidate their mechanisms in controlling activity.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Human Genetics
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
01:23Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs
Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
01:20Gene-Environment Interactions
Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
01:27Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants
The human genome is over 99.9% identical between individuals, yet genetic differences exist at millions of bases. The human genome contains approximately 3 million variant positions per individual, many of which are heterozygous, contributing to genetic diversity and individual traits. Genetic variations include single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions, deletions, and copy number variations (CNVs).SNPs, the most common variation, involve single-base changes in DNA. These can be...
01:06Heritability
Heritability is a statistical concept that measures the degree to which genetic differences among individuals contribute to trait variations within a population. It is a fundamental idea in genetics, often prone to misinterpretation. Heritability is expressed as a percentage, reflecting the proportion of variation in a specific trait across a population that can be linked to genetic differences. However, it's important to understand that heritability does not determine how "genetic" a trait is,...
01:43Incomplete Dominance
Gregor Mendel's work (1822 - 1884) was primarily focused on pea plants. Through his initial experiments, he determined that every gene in a diploid cell has two variants called alleles inherited from each parent. He suggested that amongst these two alleles, one allele is dominant in character and the other recessive. The combination of alleles determines the phenotype of a gene in an organism.