Why do some people respond to an aerobic workout routine by becoming incredibly fit, but others who exercise just as hard for months end up no fitter than when they began? According to the new study, which will soon be published in The Journal of Applied Physiology, part of the answer may depend on the state of specific genes. For the study, researchers from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La., and other institutions examined the genomes of 473 healthy white volunteers. In such studies, researchers examine virtually the entire genome of people with various traits, often diseases. The aim is to discern whether tiny segments of DNA called single-nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs (pronounced “snips”), recur frequently in those with the traits.
The presence of particular SNPs suggests that a particular snippet of the genome affects susceptibility to a disease or, in this case, exercise. Each of the volunteers had already completed a carefully supervised five-month exercise program, during which participants pedaled stationary bicycles three times a week, at controlled and identical intensities. Some wound up much fitter, as determined by the increase in the amount of oxygen their bodies consumed during intense exercise, a measure called maximal oxygen capacity, or VO2 max. In others, VO2 max had barely budged.
The researchers identified 21 specific SNPs, out of the more than 300,000 examined, that differed consistently between the two groups. One SNP in particular, located on a gene known as ACSL1, seemed especially potent, possibly accounting for as much as 6 percent of the difference in response among people. But, said Claude Bouchard, who holds the John W. Barton Sr. Endowed Chair in Genetics and Nutrition at Pennington and was lead author of the study, “far more research is needed before we can say” just how any particular gene influences the body’s response to aerobic exercise, let alone what additional genes might be involved in that response.
It seems as if the cliche about being physically fit is genetic may actually hold some weight. I wonder if the diet of these participants were taken into consideration because some nutrients promote better muscle performance and thus more oxygen in the blood eg. magneisum and iron. The results seem plausable because its evident that individuals have much different rates of aerobic performance eventhough they are performing similar exercises. It makes you wonder that if all the supplements being sold to "boost" performance actually make an impact on these individuals who lack those genetic traits that cause them to lag behind fitness speaking. I also wonder why they only use white particpants. To me it would be much more interesting to see the differences between other races. Good post, this study sheds some light on something that so many people attribute to genetics
ReplyDeleteI read this article and I completely agree how your ability to be fit is in your genes. There are some people who struggle to lose weight and turn to gastric bypass', while others shed pounds easily by working out. Eating healthy also plays a huge role in getting fit but sometimes it does not work for those who carry these specific genes that make it difficult to lose weight. I'm also curious as to why they only used white participants. There could be a difference where some races have more genes that allow then to be fit or not. Hopefully more studies will be shown in the future as to why this is.
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