It’s easy to blame poor results on genetics, or to victimize ourselves because we have that friend who eats crap and never exercises and still looks strong and lean, while we have to put so much work into preserving our fitness and body composition. Can we overcome our “bad genetics” and achieve the results we want?
To shed more light into that question, Finnish researchers assessed various health parameters of monozygotic (identical) twins who happen to have different lifestyles, one physically active, the other sedentary (1).
Since they share identical genetics, any differences found in the subjects’ have to come from their lifestyle, which makes these types of studies really interesting. The results were pretty eye opening. In comparison to their less active twins, the more active showed improved parameters of metabolic, cardiovascular and muscular health. Their VO2peak was higher, their percentages of body fat and visceral fat were lower. They had denser bones, smaller waist circumference and lower ApoB:ApoA1 ratios. Also, they presented less liver fat, lower resting heart rates, and positive adaptations in some brain functions. The differences between older twin pairs were larger than between younger ones. Also, the higher the difference in physical activity level between twins, the higher were the differences in their health markers. Pretty amazing, isn’t it? Our habits are the most determinant factor for our health. When we stop rationalizing about our genetics and take ownership of our health by exercising more, great things happen!
Willian Alba
PMID: 35770444
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