So your sedentary habits are wreaking havoc on your body, your self esteem and your prospects for a long and productive life. Then, you read that the reason you cannot get yourself off the couch and out the door for a walk (let alone a run) is because you might not have the right combination of genes? Indeed, that is the underlying message of a recent media report of a study by investigators at McMaster University in Canada. How do you respond?
A.) Life isn't fair. Now pass me the channel changer and the bag of chips
B.) Fine, I can blame my parents for this too
C.) Great, now I might be able to finally secure those disability payments and get a handicapped parking tag
D.) OK, I'm not going to an Olympian but I can still have an active and healthy life and be a good example for my kids
While the above mentioned research findings may shed some light on why some people are more physically capable than others, it says little if anything about who will benefit from a physically active lifestyle. As far as science knows at this time it is truly the rare individual who will not benefit from regular exercise. Until someone finds the gene that predicts that 30-60 minutes of brisk walking per day is detrimental to physical health, does not limit chronic diseases, or causes deterioration of mental faculties it is advisable for virtually everyone to continue to work on improving their fitness. Moreover, physical activity should be valued by society in general as it not only helps the individual making the exertions but almost certainly pays dividends for society at large in terms of reduced health care costs, improved work productivity and in reinforcing beneficial family and public behavioral norms. So before you use your genes to excuse your procrastination, remember the sage counsel of G.K. Chesterton "Anything worth doing is worth doing badly."
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