Physical activity is good for you, we’ve known that for years.
But new research from Yale School of Medicine and the VA Connecticut Healthcare System suggests that not all types of exercise offer the same health benefits, and your genetics may help explain why. The study, published July 23 in Nature Genetics, used massive biobank data to explore how DNA influences our tendency to be active at work, at home, or during leisure—and how those activities affect long-term health.
The takeaway: exercise done for pleasure and health, not necessity, appears to be genetically distinct and more protective against disease.
The Science Behind Movement
The team analyzed genetic data from nearly 550,000 individuals, drawing from the Million Veteran Program and the UK Biobank. They looked at three categories of physical activity: leisure-time activity (like jogging or sports), household activity (such as chores), and occupational activity (like manual labor).
Using genome-wide association studies (GWAS), they identified 70 genetic variants linked to leisure-time activity, many of which were not associated with activity at work or at home. In fact, leisure exercise had a far stronger link to health outcomes and lifespan than physical activity in other contexts.
Key Findings
- Leisure-time exercise is genetically distinct from work or home activity.
- Only leisure-time physical activity showed strong protective effects against diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and COVID-19 hospitalization.
- Strenuous work or household activity, despite being physically demanding, did not offer the same benefits and may be associated with long-term stress and injury.
- Survival analysis showed that vigorous leisure exercise significantly reduced risk of death, unlike home-based or job-related exercise.
- Brain-related genes—especially those involved in movement coordination—were more active in people genetically inclined to leisure-time exercise.
“Leisure” Is More Than a Lifestyle Choice
“This work not only shows the genetic differences associated with physical activity performed in different contexts but also highlights the significant health benefits of engaging in physical activity during leisure time, which is the main goal of the project,” said Marco Galimberti, PhD, the study’s lead author and associate research scientist at VA Connecticut and Yale.
According to senior author Dr. Joel Gelernter, “Data from this large genomics study allowed us to dive into the biology of these traits, and will provide materials for others to continue this work and go in different directions too.”
Why Genes Matter More Than We Think
The study estimated that up to 8% of the variation in leisure-time physical activity may be explained by genetics among individuals of European ancestry. While that might seem modest, it’s enough to signal that biology plays a role in how and when we choose to move our bodies.
Importantly, the genetic architecture of leisure exercise overlapped with traits like educational attainment, income, and well being. That complicates the picture: people with more access to leisure time may also have a genetic predisposition toward healthier habits. However, even after controlling for income, the protective effect of leisure exercise held up.
Does This Mean Exercise at Work Doesn’t Count?
Not quite—but it’s not equally beneficial. While job-related activity may keep the body moving, it may come with repetitive strain, lack of recovery time, or psychosocial stressors. In contrast, voluntary leisure activity is more likely to involve cardio-respiratory fitness, enjoyment, and regular recovery.
That difference plays out genetically too. A technique called genomic structural equation modeling showed that the genes linked to leisure activity clustered separately from those tied to occupational or domestic physical activity.
What’s Next?
The research opens the door for more personalized approaches to promoting exercise. Rather than prescribing generic movement, public health efforts might one day tailor advice based on an individual’s genetic profile, occupation, and access to leisure.
And while we can’t change our DNA, we can choose how we move. If you can find time for a brisk walk, a swim, or a dance class you enjoy, your body—and perhaps your genes—may thank you in the long run.
Journal and Study Details
Journal: Nature Genetics
DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02260-9
Title: A contextual genomic perspective on physical activity and its relationship to health, well being and illness
Authors: Marco Galimberti, Daniel F. Levey, Joseph D. Deak, Keyrun Adhikari, Cassie Overstreet, Priya Gupta, Rachana Nitin, Hang Zhou, Nicole J. Lake, Kelly M. Harrington, Luc Djousse, Lea K. Davis, VA Million Veteran Program, J. Michael Gaziano, Murray B. Stein, Joel Gelernter
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