Affective response to physical activity as a deep phenotype in a non-randomized pilot study

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Exercise Science
• Behavioral Medicine
• Genomics

Background:

• Genetic predisposition influences physical activity (PA) levels.
• Behavioral interventions can target intermediate phenotypes to mitigate genetic effects on PA.
• Affective response to PA is a potential intermediate phenotype linking genetics and adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the feasibility of examining affective response to PA as an intermediate phenotype.
• To investigate if specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) predict affective response to PA.
• To determine if affective response to PA mediates the relationship between genetic variation and PA adherence.

Main Methods:

• A non-randomized pilot study involving 45 healthy, low-active adults.
• Assessed baseline affective response using the Feeling Scale and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) via accelerometers.
• Examined three SNPs (FTO rs8044769, FTO rs3751812, BDNF rs6265) using a weighted genetic score, controlling for covariates.

Main Results:

• A significant association was found between the FTO rs8044769 SNP and higher affective response to PA (p=0.015).
• The weighted genetic score was not significantly associated with affective response to PA (p=0.13).
• Neither the genetic score nor individual SNPs predicted changes in MVPA over 12 weeks, precluding mediation analysis.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary findings support the potential of affective response to PA as an intermediate phenotype.
• The FTO rs8044769 variant may influence how individuals feel during physical activity.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the genetic underpinnings of PA behavior and the role of affective responses.