Hate exercise? It could be genetic, USC researchers say
A 2014 study showed that an appreciation for running was likely genetic. Researchers studied two groups of rats — low- and high-performing runners — to see how well their offspring ran. They found that the offspring’s fondness for running was consistent with that of their parents. Later generations of high-performing runners ran 10 times faster than the halfhearted group.
When it comes to exercise, there’s a lot that happens not only in the body but also in the brain, according to exercise science researcher Lorraine Turcotte, a professor of biological sciences at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. For some people, exercise just feels bad.
For example, in that 2014 study, the avid runners had a more active nucleus accumbens. That’s the brain’s pleasure and reward center and the hub for neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which make us feel good. When the avid runners ran, that portion of the brain lit up with activity. That didn’t happen in the inactive group.
On a weekly basis, adults should get at least 2 1/2 hours of moderate-intensity exercise and do strength training at least two days a week. Kids ages 6 to 17 years old should work out for an hour a day, including cardio and strength training.
