Genes’ Relation to Fitness 9-19

Is one born an athlete or can a person with no athletic genes be just as successful in a particular sport? Is there an advantage to having parents who were athletic? Or is sports performance solely based on hours of hard training and adapting to the demands of the sport? Many studies show that genes are responsible for nearly half the variation in both physical training and one’s response to it. Of course, there are mental aspects that are involved too. It would be wrong to solely blame one’s genes for physical incapablilities. Athletes are said to inherit the ability to respond well to the demands of training. Hereditary does in fact affect sports performance. Scientists have recognized a performance gene known as angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE). However, when genotyping would be able to be processed, which is picking out certain genes for your child will be thought of as unethical. In conclusion, if you want your child to be the next NBA star or Olympic standout……. it wouldn’t hurt to marry an athlete.

Source:

http://www.sportsci.org/jour/0101/wghgene.htm

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