Unfit? Just blame your genes.

[Pseudonym]

Turns out a new test developed by a UK university shows that some people can't get fit, no matter how hard they try.

Approximately one in six of the general population are "high responders" - following the NHS guidelines, for example, will spark a marked increase in fitness levels, of about 25-50 per cent. One in three are "medium responders", who'll enjoy a 15 to 25 per cent boost in aerobic fitness. Another one in three are "medium-low responders", who'll only see a 5 to 15 per cent increase. But, shockingly, another one in six are "low responders", who, at the very most, will only see a 5 per cent rise in their fitness levels.Most of these will see no improvement whatsoever - no matter how much time they spend sweating on a cross-trainer, they will never be fitter. Worse still, about a sixth of the low responders - 3 per cent of the general population - will actually become less fit. In other words, 1.8 million Britons are effectively allergic to exercise.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11133921

 

I totally get that people respond to exercise differently. Much like anything to do with humans, it sounds like a bell curve - most people respond averagely, a few lucky ones do really well, and a few unlucky ones draw the genetic short straw.

But really, for some to actually go backwards? Wow, I struggle to understand that one. How did these people evolve in the first place, if every time they exert themselves, they get less fit? Seems a bit strange to me!

Interesting, though...

[Dinahlady]

Yeah seems vaguely legit. 

Some of the bottom categories might have been better responders to strength training than endurance - and also respond differently to a different program (say intervals compared to just a more steady state program, or vice versa). I do think at the "molecular level" these things are pretty different... 

Also, wouldn't it depend on diet also, stress, and many other factors - did they control for confounders and effect modification? would like to see the whole study. 

Just seems like a bit of a nihilistic conclusion. 

 

 

[Pseudonym]

The cynic in me says that the only people who take the test will be those who already think they don't have the genes for fitness - and therefore exercise is pointless for them. Which is good, because they've always hated exercise.

So it's a clever way to make $390 to tell someone something they think they already know, but want to hear anyway.

[Ben0]

In b4 mrgeeky lol

[Leeroid]

Inb4 thousands of links found by Google search

[Kalidane]

Cartman used to say he's big boned; now he's a low responder...

 

He also advised to respect his authoritah

[pyro]

In b4 mrgeeky lol

lol couldnt help but laugh.