Genome-wide linkage scan for physical activity levels in the Quebec Family study.
OBJECTIVE
It is commonly recognized that there is familial aggregation for physical activity level. However, the genes and sequence variants responsible for the familial clustering have not been investigated. We performed a genome-wide linkage scan based on 432 markers typed in 767 subjects from 207 families of the Quebec Family study with the aim of identifying loci affecting physical activity levels. Four physical activity level phenotypes were used.


RESULTS
Promising evidence of linkage (P < 0.0023) was found for physical inactivity on chromosome 2p22-p16. Suggestive linkages (0.0023<P < 0.01) were found for inactivity (7p11.2, 20q13.1), total physical activity (13q22-q31), moderate to strenuous physical activity (4q28.2, 7p11.2, 9q31.1, 13q22-q31), and time spent in physical activity (11p15 and 15q13.3).


CONCLUSIONS
This study identified several chromosomal regions harboring genes that may contribute to the propensity to be physically active or sedentary.
Simonen
Riitta L
RL
Human Genomics Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA.
Rankinen
Tuomo
T
Perusse
Louis
L
Rice
Treva
T
Rao
D C
DC
Chagnon
Yvon
Y
Bouchard
Claude
C
D000328:Adult; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci / Q000235:genetics; D011792:Quebec