Not all exercise is equal, your genes may explain why

Physical exercise is good for you, we have known it for years.

But new research from Yale School of Medicine and Connecticut, Virginia, healthcare system, shows that Not all types of exercise bring the same health benefitsyour genetics may help explain why. The study was published on July 23 Natural Geneticsusing extensive biobase data to explore how DNA affects positive trends during our work, at home or leisure, and how these activities affect long-term health.

Key points: Exercise for entertainment and health is unnecessary, and seems genetically distinctive and more protective of the disease.

The science behind sports

The team analyzed genetic data from nearly 550,000 individuals, from the Million Veterans Program and the UK Biobank. They studied three types of physical exercise: Leisure Activities (such as jogging or exercise), Family Activities (such as trivia) and Career Activities (Like manual labor).

Using Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS), they identified 70 genetic variants associated with leisure activities, many of which were not related to work or home activities. In fact, Recreational exercise compared to health outcomes and lifespan, compared to other situations.

Key Discovery

• Leisure time is genetically different from work or family activities.
• Physical exercise with only leisure time shows strong protective effects on diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart failure and hospitalization of Covid-19-19.
• Hard work or family activities, despite the high physical requirements, No Offering the same benefits, which may be related to long-term stress and injury.
• Survival analysis showed that, unlike home or work-related exercise, vigorous leisure exercise greatly reduced the risk of death.
• Genes related to the brain, especially those involved in motor coordination, are more active in people whose genes tend to exercise recreational.

“Collection” is not just a lifestyle choice

“This work not only shows the genetic differences associated with physical exercise performed in different situations, but also highlights the significant health benefits of engaging in physical activities during recreation, which is the main goal of the program.” Dr. Marco GalimbertiLead author and associate research scientists for the study are Connecticut, Virginia and Yale University.

According to senior writers Dr. Joel Gelernter“The data from this large genomics study enables us to delve into the biology of these traits and will provide others with materials to continue this work and move in different directions.”

Why genes are more important than we think

Research Estimates Genetics can explain up to 8% of changes in leisure physical exercise Among individuals of European descent. While this may seem modest, it is enough to show that biology works in the way we choose to move our bodies and when.

What is important is, The genetic structure of recreational exercise overlaps with educational outcomes, income and well-being characteristics. This complicates the situation: People with more leisure time may also have a genetic tendency to healthier habits. However, even after the income is controlled, the protective effect of leisure exercise remains the same.

Does this mean that exercise at work is not included?

Not exactly – but it is not equally beneficial. Although work-related activities may move the body, it can bring repetitive stress, lack of recovery time or social and psychological stressors. By comparison, Voluntary leisure activities are more likely to involve cardiac breathing fitness, enjoyment and regular recovery.

This difference also plays a role in genetics. A technique called modeling of genomic structural equations shows that genes associated with leisure activities gather separately from genes associated with occupational or home physical exercise.

What’s next?

This study opens the door to more personalized approaches to fostering movement. Public health efforts may one day tailor a certain way, rather than prescribe general exercise Personal genetic profile, career and leisure paths.

Although we can’t change our DNA, able Choose our way of moving. If you can find time for a walk, swimming or a favorite dance lesson, your body (and maybe your genes) may thank you in the long run.

Diary and research details

Magazine: Natural Genetics
doi: 10.1038/S41588-025-02260-9
title: Background genomic perspective on physical activity and its relationship to health, health and disease
author: Marco Galimberti, Daniel F. Leve, Joseph D. Deak, Keyrun Adhikari, Cassie Overstreet, Priya Gupta, Rachana Nitin, Hang Zhou, Nicole J. Lake, Kelly M. Harrington, Luc Djousse, Lea K..Lea K.

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