The role of exercise genomics in preventive medicine

Regular exercise and physical activity are effective preventative measures for over ۲۵ chronic medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease and premature death. According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for death, killing about ۳.۲ million people annually (۱). It is accepted that an individual's behavior is due to three factors: biological/genetic influences, environmental influences, and/or the interaction between biological and environmental factors. There are biological/genetic differences in sexual activity that are distinct from environmental influences on activity (۲). Today, the development of genetic evaluation methods throughout the human genome has made it possible for sports scientists and physicians to study genetic factors that play a role in regular physical activity and exercise in preventing chronic diseases. Studies have shown that there is an interaction of the gene × physical activity in reducing the risk factors for type ۲ diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. In the following, we will review several studies in this regard.