Athletic performance is based on genetics — combined with all the hard work and dedication you put into practicing your sport!
Where to start?
Members: Be sure to check out the Athletics Summary Report for a quick overview of all your genetic variants related to sports, athleticism, and exercise.
Have you ever thought, “If I just exercised a little more, I could lose that extra 20 pounds!” A new study published in September 2024 looked at the relationship between weight loss, aerobic exercise, and genetics. It attempts to answer the question, “Who loses weight and why? Losers and gainers: … Read more
Creatine is an amino acid used in muscle tissue and the brain for energy in times of stress. Genes play a role in creatine synthesis. Find out what the research shows about creatine supplements for muscle mass and cognitive function.
The ACTN3 gene codes for actinin alpha-3, a protein found in fast-twitch muscles. Some people don’t produce this protein, which changes the composition of their muscles. Elite athletes may be limited by this genetic change.
Do you have problems with your tennis elbow, rotator cuff, knees, or Achilles tendon? Discover how your genes influence the risk of having tendon problems.
Do you end up getting sore after pretty much every workout at the gym? It could be that a deficiency caused by the AMPD1 genetic variant is the cause.
PPARδ is a key player in how and when your muscles burn fat for fuel. Genetic variants in the PPARD gene impact how well your muscles utilize fatty acids. These variants also impact how much of a fat-burning benefit you get from exercise.
Utilize our Athletics Summary Reports with your 23andMe or AncestryDNA genetic data to see which articles may be most relevant to you. These summaries are attempting to distill the complex information down into just a few words. Please see the linked articles for details and complete references. (Member’s article)
A study in the journal Behavioral Brain Research paints a fascinating picture of why some people are more motivated to exercise. The study looked at the dopaminergic system to see how people’s genetic variants could alter the ‘reinforcing value’ of exercise.
The hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1A) gene codes for a transcription factor, that responds to the amount of oxygen available to the cell. This is important in cancer prevention, and several HIF1A genetic variants alter the susceptibility to several types of cancer.
Genes control the formation, composition, and type of muscle fiber. Learn how to optimize your training when genetics comes into play, affecting muscle composition and endurance.