2 ms·

The full data set seems to show that the strongest argument in the article is that propensity to fitness is mostly a result of genetics and upbringing - it was

The full data set seems to show that the strongest argument in the article is that propensity to fitness is mostly a result of genetics and upbringing - it was apparently very difficult to find twins where the level of fitness was different, and very difficult to find twins with significantly different dietary preferences. This seems to indicate that in most cases, your level of fitness is basically pre-determined by age 18.

yaddayadda 12y ago
The authors did acknowledge the difficulty of finding twins with different fitness levels: >The researchers were looking for young adult identical twins in their early- to mid-20s whose exercise habits had substantially diverged after they had left their childhood homes. These twins were not easy to find. Most of the pairs had maintained remarkably similar exercise routines, despite living apart. And they also highlight that while the genetics and environment play a huge part they don't preclude change: >More subtly, the findings also point out that genetics and environment “do not have to be” destiny when it comes to exercise habits, Dr. Kujala said. For these particular twins, whether their genes and childhoods nudged them toward exercising regularly or slumping on the couch, one of the pair overcame that legacy and did the opposite (for better and worse).
tghw 12y ago
Propensity and pre-determination are very different things. The whole point of the article is that someone who makes fitness a priority and exercises regularly has better health and fitness indicators than someone who doesn't, all else being equal. Being active is a choice (for most people). Certainly, some people are more likely to do it naturally, but that doesn't preclude the rest of us from doing it.
- DougWebb 12y ago
  It might also show that someone who has better health and fitness indicators is more likely to exercise regularly. Maybe environmental concerns (eg: stress) impact your health and fitness indicators, which causes a lack of motivation and energy for exercise that you would normally have without the stress. I know, as an overweight and highly stressed person, that I often feel that way about exercise.
vlasev 12y ago
No no. They are talking about habits here. Twins are more likely to have the same kinds of diets and exercises and overall similar lives, which in turn lead to them being in similar shape. It was difficult for them to find divergent twins. But once you are looking at divergent twins they the exercise and lifestyle became quite important. Your habits and lifestyle are basically pre-determined by a certain age but as the article shows, they are not set in stone because lifestyles may change.

yaddayadda 12y ago

The authors did acknowledge the difficulty of finding twins with different fitness levels: >The researchers were looking for young adult identical twins in their early- to mid-20s whose exercise habits had substantially diverged after they had left their childhood homes. These twins were not easy to find. Most of the pairs had maintained remarkably similar exercise routines, despite living apart. And they also highlight that while the genetics and environment play a huge part they don't preclude change: >More subtly, the findings also point out that genetics and environment “do not have to be” destiny when it comes to exercise habits, Dr. Kujala said. For these particular twins, whether their genes and childhoods nudged them toward exercising regularly or slumping on the couch, one of the pair overcame that legacy and did the opposite (for better and worse).

tghw 12y ago

Propensity and pre-determination are very different things. The whole point of the article is that someone who makes fitness a priority and exercises regularly has better health and fitness indicators than someone who doesn't, all else being equal. Being active is a choice (for most people). Certainly, some people are more likely to do it naturally, but that doesn't preclude the rest of us from doing it.

DougWebb 12y ago
It might also show that someone who has better health and fitness indicators is more likely to exercise regularly. Maybe environmental concerns (eg: stress) impact your health and fitness indicators, which causes a lack of motivation and energy for exercise that you would normally have without the stress. I know, as an overweight and highly stressed person, that I often feel that way about exercise.

vlasev 12y ago

No no. They are talking about habits here. Twins are more likely to have the same kinds of diets and exercises and overall similar lives, which in turn lead to them being in similar shape. It was difficult for them to find divergent twins. But once you are looking at divergent twins they the exercise and lifestyle became quite important. Your habits and lifestyle are basically pre-determined by a certain age but as the article shows, they are not set in stone because lifestyles may change.