Sports Just a waste of time for 20 Percent of People

Today often heralded the benefits to be gained from exercise. But researchers said 20 percent of people who maintain their health by jogging, swimming or going to the gym is just a waste of time.

Scientists have found that the health benefits of exercise is determined by one's genes and its nature can vary between individuals. About 20 percent of the population does not get significant health benefits from exercising regularly.

For these people, regular exercise such as jogging, the gym or aerobics gives only a small effect to reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease or diabetes.

"These results will pave the way to create a personalized care in a way each patient should do a DNA test first to find out ways which are effective in keeping the heart healthy," said lead researcher Dr. James Timmons from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London , as quoted by the Telegraph, Friday (12/2/2010).

Dr. Timmons said the study broke new ground by using the human genome, the genetic map of the body which has been translated by scientists 10 years ago to make improvements in terms of health care.

"It would be one example of personalized treatment is treatment using the basic genome," says Dr. Timmons.

In a study published in Applied Psychology, roughly more than 500 participants from Europe and the United States undergo various training programs in accordance with government advice in the gym five times a week for 30 minutes.

At the end of the study found some people show an increase in oxygen consumption in the body that could be an indicator of fitness. Revealed about 30 genes are predicted to affect the increased intake of oxygen, but of that number only 11 are shown to have a certain impact on some people regarding the benefits of exercise.

But as much as 20 percent of participants only showed a maximum increase of less than 5 percent, in this case can be ignored. While 30 percent did not indicate significant insulin sensitivity did not reduce the risk of diabetes.

"We know that low oxygen consumption to be one strong risk factor to disease and premature death, so experts advise people to exercise regularly to increase oxygen capacity. But the effect is different for every individual," added Dr. Timmons.

With the present invention is expected later to determine what measures are most beneficial and effective to keep the body fit and avoid the risk of various diseases.