Is exercise in your genes?
Genetic mapping has been used for decades to help doctors and researchers identify and treat disease processes in everything from cystic fibrosis to asthma.
Now researchers are taking it a step further and suggesting that the way our bodies respond to and perform exercise is a result of our genetics. In fact, research suggests that genetic variation is the key reason why people can perform the same exercise and see different results.
According to the National Institute of Health’s Human Genome Project, there are currently more than 200 genetic variants that may influence exercise performance. These include muscle strength, skeletal structure, tendon elasticity and heart and lung size. The influence of each genetic variant is further affected by elements such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and environment.
There are currently two primary areas identified that genes influence - endurance and speed or power. While it may sound far fetched to ascertain athletic ability based on our genes, consider the differences between an Olympic marathoner and a 100-meter sprinter. Two athletes with an equal training load may respond differently to training simply based on their genetic predisposition.
For example, the relationship between endurance performance and a person’s body size is dependent on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and oxygen utilization. Athletes with gene variants that support maximal oxygen uptake and utilization tend to be more successful at endurance events.
On the other hand, athletes like the 100-meter sprinter who use muscle to produce force have been measured to genetically exhibit greater fast muscle fiber proteins.
Another area that gene variation may contribute to is risk of injury. A recent article in Sports Medicine suggested that “injuries often result from a combination of training load and genotype.”
Being able to predetermine if an athlete is predisposed to injury provides us with useful knowledge when it comes to exercise programming. This doesn’t mean an athlete will become injured but having this knowledge helps exercise professionals implement injury prevention programs for all people, not just elite athletes.
A simple google for “exercise and genetics” reveals several online testing agencies. While you may not be vying for the final Olympic spot in Rio, you might find it interesting and useful if you are not reaching your athletic or fitness goals.
Genetic testing can also prove to be very motivating. If your test comes back showing you are predisposed to obesity, you now have the knowledge and power to change your destiny. It’s not only genetics that play a role in your body’s performance and response to exercise, the environment can effect it too.
In fact, environment can compensate for genetics. If you know you are genetically predisposed to obesity, you hold the power through a healthy lifestyle and dietary adherence to change your destiny.
Angie Ferguson is an exercise physiologist from Fort Myers. She is a USA Triathlon Advanced Level 2 coach, USA Cycling coach and has a Specialty in Sports Nutrition certification. For more training tips, read her blog at www.triathlontrainingisfun.com or contact her at www.gearedup.biz.