Regulation of Voluntary Physical Activity Behavior: A Review of Evidence Involving Dopaminergic Pathways in the Brain.

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 act

SUBMITTER: Ruiz-Tejada A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8946175 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature