Abstract
Physical activity leads to well-established health benefits. Current efforts to enhance physical activity have targeted mainly socioeconomic factors. However, despite these efforts, only a small number of adults engage in regular physical activity to the point of meeting current recommendations. Evidence collected in rodent models and humans establish a strong central nervous system component that regulates physical activity behavior. In particular, dopaminergic pathways in the central nervous system are among the best-characterized biological mechanisms to date with respect to regulating reward, motivation, and habit formation, which are critical for establishing regular physical activity. Herein, we discuss evidence for a role of brain dopamine in the regulation of voluntary physical activity behavior based on selective breeding and pharmacological studies in rodents, as well as genetic studies in both rodents and humans. While these studies establish a role of dopamine and associated mechanisms in the brain in the regulation of voluntary physical activity behavior, there is clearly need for more research on the underlying biology involved in motivation for physical activity and the formation of a physical activity habit. Such knowledge at the basic science level may ultimately be translated into better strategies to enhance physical activity levels within the society.
Highlights
Regular physical activity (PA) increases overall quality of life by reducing the risk of metabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and obesity
The aim of this review is to provide an updated discussion on how dopaminergic systems in the brain are involved in the regulation of voluntary PA behavior
There are numerous biological components that work in a coordinated fashion to induce voluntary motor action, we focus on those that control motivation for motor action and current understanding of the brain neurobiology as it relates to reward systems, motivation and habit formation in regulating voluntary PA behavior
Summary
Regular physical activity (PA) increases overall quality of life by reducing the risk of metabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and obesity. Animal studies over the years have linked certain patterns and brain mechanisms to variations in daily PA [9,10]. Building upon this evidence, recent consensus among experts in the field highlights the importance to understand the brain as a biological determinant of PA [11]. Exercise is defined as a structured, leisure-time recreational and occupational activity [13] Both PA and exercise result in increased energy expenditure above sedentary levels and mediate improvements in health. For this reason, and for the purpose of this review, PA and exercise will be used interchangeably. We conclude with how this knowledge may be utilized to enhance PA
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