Don’t Like To Exercise? It Might Be Genetic!

In life, there are people who run marathons for fun and people who’d rather die than put on a sports bra. Experts are starting to think that the difference has something to do with genetics.

When researchers (University of Georgia) looked at 3,000 adults’ exercise habits and observed their brains’ response to exercise, they found that people who have trouble sticking to an exercise routine (or don’t even bother) have a genetic variation that affects the way their brain cells bind with dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for making you feel pleasure and reward.

Because your body is supposed to reward you for exercising by releasing dopamine, thus making your extra efforts seem worthwhile, the results suggest people who don’t experience this response are effectively wired to appreciate exercise less.