Human physiology is likely to have been selected for endurance physical activity. However, modern humans have become largely sedentary, with physical activity becoming a leisure-time pursuit for most. Whereas inactivity is a strong risk factor for disease, regular physical activity reduces the risk of chronic disease and mortality. Although substantial epidemiological evidence supports the beneficial effects of exercise, comparatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms through which these effects operate. Genetic and genomic analyses have identified genetic variation associated with human performance and, together with recent proteomic, metabolomic and multi-omic analyses, are beginning to elucidate the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of physical activity on human health.

人类生理学很可能已被选为耐力体育活动。然而，现代人在很大程度上已经变得久坐不动，体育活动成为大多数人的休闲追求。虽然不运动是疾病的一个重要风险因素，但有规律的身体活动可以降低患慢性病和死亡的风险。尽管大量的流行病学证据支持运动的有益作用，但对这些作用发挥作用的分子机制知之甚少。遗传和基因组分析已经确定了与人类表现相关的遗传变异，并且与最近的蛋白质组学、代谢组学和多组学分析一起，开始阐明体育活动对人类健康有益影响的分子遗传机制。