Scientists have discovered why some of us have the energy to work out for hours while others can barely summon the get-up-and-go to reach for the TV remote.
They believe they have pinpointed the genes that produce an enzyme in our muscles during exercise called AMP kinase, which controls the way we turn food into energy. Those who generate large quantities of AMPK have more energy, whereas those with lesser amounts are likely to tire almost immediately.
Dr Gregory Steinberg, who led the research, said the discovery could lead to treatments for those who find it difficult to exercise, including the obese and those with asthma. His team found dramatic results in tests on two groups of mice, one bred without the two suspected genes behind AMPK production.
I knew it! It's not my fault! Oh wait...
But the good news – or bad news, depending on your outlook – for couch potatoes is that exercise itself appears to stimulate the production of AMPK. So if you force yourself to keep going for a jog it will eventually get easier.
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