Discuss whether genetics play a role in sporting performance

Discuss whether genetics play a role in sporting performance

1. innate qualities = nature

   • born (genes)
   • breeding cows = beef shorthorn and the belgian blue
     • steady progression to breed animals with heavier muscling
     • 1960s extreme doubling muscleing characteristic appear in small group of cattle exported to belgium = have a deficient in myostatin
   • ACE gene = shown to impact substantially on human physical performance.
     • respond better to training
   • A gene - for speed/power
     • the a-actinins are a family of actin infding proteins that play structural and regulatory roles in cytoskeletal organisation and muscle contraction
       • in skeletal muscles , a actinins are the predominant protein of the z line. they perform a lattice structure that anchors actins and stabilise the contractile apparatus
     • a-actin-3 is the most highly specilised of the four mammalian a actins. It is restricted to fast glycolytic fibres in skeletal muscle
       • 18% of the human population is totally deficient in a -actin-3. They have a premature stop codon (R577X) in the ACTN3 gene
         • there is a strong association between R577X genotype and performance
     • alpha-actinin-3 is associated with optimum high velocity contractions
   • west african decent dominates short distant running / east african decent dominates long distant running
   • paula radcliffe = sub elite level of VO2 with no training at age 18

2. personal experience = nurture

   • made (lifestyle)
   • athletic body types
     • extremes are shown in men in sport
   • paula radcliffe = took her 10 year of hard training and commitment to break through
   • commitment
   • training

3. success in sport comes form a combination of genetic, predisposition, commitment , to many years of hard training.

4. search for talent

   • 1. range of generic physical and skill-based tests
   • 2. athletes suitability = medical/ behaviour/ psychology
   • 3. 3-12 month confimation phase