GWAS identifies 14 loci for device-measured physical activity and sleep duration

Aiden Doherty (), Karl Smith-Byrne, Teresa Ferreira, Michael V. Holmes, Chris Holmes, Sara L. Pulit and Cecilia M. Lindgren
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Aiden Doherty: University of Oxford
Karl Smith-Byrne: University of Oxford
Teresa Ferreira: University of Oxford
Michael V. Holmes: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital
Chris Holmes: University of Oxford
Sara L. Pulit: University of Oxford
Cecilia M. Lindgren: University of Oxford

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Physical activity and sleep duration are established risk factors for many diseases, but their aetiology is poorly understood, partly due to relying on self-reported evidence. Here we report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of device-measured physical activity and sleep duration in 91,105 UK Biobank participants, finding 14 significant loci (7 novel). These loci account for 0.06% of activity and 0.39% of sleep duration variation. Genome-wide estimates of ~ 15% phenotypic variation indicate high polygenicity. Heritability is higher in women than men for overall activity (23 vs. 20%, p = 1.5 × 10−4) and sedentary behaviours (18 vs. 15%, p = 9.7 × 10−4). Heritability partitioning, enrichment and pathway analyses indicate the central nervous system plays a role in activity behaviours. Two-sample Mendelian randomisation suggests that increased activity might causally lower diastolic blood pressure (beta mmHg/SD: −0.91, SE = 0.18, p = 8.2 × 10−7), and odds of hypertension (Odds ratio/SD: 0.84, SE = 0.03, p = 4.9 × 10−8). Our results advocate the value of physical activity for reducing blood pressure.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07743-4

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