Genetics of Physical Activity and Physical Inactivity in Humans

Recent studies have suggested that physical activity (PA) and physical inactivity (PI) may not only be affected by psychosocial and environmental factors, but also may be two phenotypes with genetic mechanisms. This review published online just last week in Behavior Genetics compiles such data available to date from 45 previous studies, including twin, family, linkage and association studies as well as one GWA study. In order to be included in the review, the studies needed to provide information on heritability estimates, linkage results, or identified genes and markers. The most significant finding associated Gln223ARrg, MC4R and DRD2 genes with the PA phenotype.