Why Doesn’t Exercise Work as Well for Some People?

Physical activity is key in the prevention of obesity and associated health conditions, but some people obtain greater rewards from exercise than others. In a new study that involved 31 women, researchers found that those who had high levels of the protein selenoprotein P in their blood before partaking in an eight-week exercise program demonstrated a lower maximal oxygen intake after the study than those with lower initial blood levels of selenoprotein P. Investigators say that further research is needed to gain a more detailed understating of how selenoprotein P impacts physical activity, but they hope the study will lead to ways to reduce selenoprotein P production to aid in improving exercise endurance. Nature Medicine, March 2017