The Sports Gene

The Sports Gene is a look at how genes affect our abilities, motivations, and endurance in sports, explaining why some people are better suited for certain sports than others.

We all know that tall people make great basketball players. Experts estimate that 80% of the variation in height is due to genes. So, unfortunately, tall people really are just born good at basketball. But did you know that short people have a few advantages in this sport as well? Some have stronger Achilles tendons that help them jump higher or a longer arm span for a greater reach.

Let’s take a look at running. Genetic differences between short and long-distance runners make certain people naturally better at one or the other. Thin legs and a slim torso are common in the best marathon or long-distance runners. They may also have smaller bodies, which makes for a bigger skin surface area relative to body volume, which helps them release heat more efficiently.

Sprinters, on the other hand, have shorter legs which allow them to accelerate faster. Their muscles have more fast-twitch fibers, which contract quickly, allowing more explosive movements that are beneficial in short-distance races. Long-distance runners don’t have this trait but instead have more slow-twitch fibers which have better stamina for those lengthy races.

Short legs are also common in elite swimmers. Michael Phelps is one of these, with an inseam of just 32 inches. At 6’4”, however, he’s tall with a longer upper body and arms. All of these genetic traits made him even better at swimming than most people.

Take a look at some of your body characteristics. What sports might you be good at based on your height or build?

While you may not think of it, genes also determine how likely you are to get up and go to the gym. Studies indicate that much of the difference in exercise people get is because of genetic makeup. Some individual’s brains aren’t as good at sensing pleasure. To get that “runner’s high,” for example, one may have to work much harder than another. This makes it hard to get to the gym. Other factors than enjoyment may be to blame for the motivation to exercise. Pam Reed, for example, has to run up to five times daily. Without doing so she gets sick, which is a great reason to keep exercising! Your pain threshold also determines how much exercise you are willing to endure. Those with a high tolerance for discomfort will work harder and exercise more than those who don’t. And you guessed it, this is another factor that is largely genetic. Take a look at your body’s risk of injury as well. This is one…