Multivariate genetic analysis of lifetime exercise and environmental factors.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether the association between exercise and individual-specific factors that correlate with exercise may be explained by genetic or common environmental factors.


METHODS
Lifetime exercise data were available from 147 MZ and 153 DZ adult male twin pairs with a mean age of 50 yr (SD = 8 yr).


RESULTS
The best-fitting quantitative genetic model for adulthood exercise level consisted of additive genetic effects, genetic effects due to dominance and unique environment effects, with genetic effects explaining 51% (95% CI = 29-63%) of the variance. Factors associated with adulthood exercise level were adolescent exercise, participation in competitive sports, perceived health, smoking status, and percent body fat. In bivariate models, approximately half of the covariation between those factors and adulthood exercise level was accounted for by unique environmental effects (i.e., factors not shared by the co-twins). Additive genetic effects explained less (3-20%) than dominance genetic effects (23-53%) of the covariation between those factors and adulthood exercise. Shared environmental effects were present only in the bivariate model of adulthood and adolescent exercise, explaining 11% of the covariance.


CONCLUSIONS
: The genetic component shared in common by exercise and factors associated with exercise suggests that there may be a complex pathway of genetic selection and predisposition for a physically active lifestyle.
Simonen
Riitta
R
Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland. riita.simonen@helsinki.fi
Levälahti
Esko
E
Kaprio
Jaakko
J
Videman
Tapio
T
Battié
Michele C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004777:Environment; D015444:Exercise; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis