Each year, hundreds of athletes compete in 24-hour races, Ironman triathlons, and ultramarathons, breaking numerous records in the process. Is there a cap on the amount you can spend? What aspects of human performance in sports are influenced by these factors?

Physiologists generally concur that significant improvements in athletic performance are a result of dietary, psychological, and environmental factors as well as technological advancements in sports equipment (such as running shoes, swimsuits, skis, and bicycles).

But after accounting for these developments, it’s possible that genetics contributes to the limitations of athletic performance. Athletic prowess is largely influenced by genes that affect cardiovascular endurance and muscle fiber type. We will nevertheless clarify why hereditary traits cannot be altered.

Which Hereditary Conditions Are Beyond Our Control?

Height and the number of muscle fibers are genetic traits that are beyond our control. Identify a number of environmental variables that may have an impact on physical fitness levels, such as living arrangements, access to fitness centers, income levels, and social affiliations.

The Influence of Hereditary Conditions on Training

Our capacity to excel in sports is just one of the many ways that genetics has an impact on us. Our potential is developed as a result of training, nutrition, and a number of other factors. The amount of potential could be influenced by genes.

You could be a great athlete if you have the requisite genetic makeup. You are less likely to achieve that potential if you lead a life that is marked by overeating and inactivity, though.

Hereditary Conditions That Can Be Altered by Training

Power

Power is the outcome of combining strength and speed. It basically means how quickly you can generate your maximum amount of force. Sporting events that require sheer strength, in brief, all-out attempts are known as “power events.”

Weightlifters, football players, and gymnasts who have won Olympic medals are examples of power athletes. Players in other sports, such as basketball, volleyball, and tennis, may also benefit from the development of more power.

Leg power must be used when jumping to catch a rebound. However, using both upper- and lower-body strength is necessary to forcefully spike a volleyball. These are all variables that are not determined by hereditary factors.

Explain why it is not possible to alter hereditary conditions aside from these ones, such as lung capacity. You might increase your power by combining resistance and speed during quick strength-training sessions like the ones below.

• Pushing a weighted sled while sprinting
• Clean and jerk lifts
• Plyometric box jumps
• Kettlebell swings

Agility

The ability to move quickly and change directions with ease is referred to as agility. For instance, basketball players are incredibly agile and quick. They must be able to move in all directions, leaping, sliding, twisting, and backpedaling in response to the movement of the ball.

Their bodies must be trained to quickly adapt to changing conditions and change the route. Drills for agility frequently include exercises to increase foot speed and direction change. These include the following:

• Use an agility ladder to develop precise foot placement while climbing and descending the ladder quickly and steadily.
• Try out Cone drills by setting up cones in a “T” or star form, and then run, slide, backpedal, or change direction depending on which cone you’re approaching in a given direction.

Speed

It’s possible that when you consider speed, you picture a competition like the yearly 100-meter sprint. Contrarily, perspective affects how fast something is. Elite sprinters need to be extremely quick, but only for a brief period of time (roughly 10 seconds).

A marathon runner might try to speed up to drop their race pace from 10 minutes per mile to 9.5 minutes/mile in order to improve their performance and set a new personal record. They would have to keep going at that pace for just over four hours.

The objective of these two hypothetical athletes—to become faster—is the same, despite the different ways they train. Your speed training will therefore change depending on the sport you are training for.

Regardless of the sport, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is one of the most efficient ways to increase speed. Participants in this type of training are required to give it their all—or nearly all—for a set amount of time. This comes after a specific period of relaxation.

Balance

Highly developed balancing skills are essential for gymnasts, yogis, skaters, and surfers. This makes it possible for them to participate in their respective sporting endeavors. Hereditary conditions cannot be altered because balance does not depend on genes.

The term “balance” refers to your capacity to modify your body posture in order to maintain your upright stance.

It specifically addresses proprioception, or the capacity to discern where your body is in relation to other objects. Additionally, it includes the capacity to adjust your posture when your center of gravity changes as you move.

For many sports, the capacity for balance is crucial. Additionally, it is crucial for a variety of tasks where balance is required for better performance and safety. Balance exercises may help trail runners prevent tripping or rolling their ankles.

To improve your balance, try the following exercises:

• Standing yoga pose
• Squats, and push-ups using a balance disk
• Stand on one foot
• BOSU ball workout

Coordination

Excellent hand-eye (or foot-eye) coordination is required for many sports and pastimes, including badminton, golf, soccer, basketball, football, racquetball, archery, softball, ultimate frisbee, and others.

Any of these tasks require the ability to correctly respond to an external object while also being able to observe it.

As examples of blocking, think of hitting a golf ball off the tee, catching a fly ball, or stopping a shot on goal in a hockey or soccer game. Exercises such as the following may help you improve your coordination:

• Dribbling a ball
• Juggling
• Throwing objects at specific targets
• Jumping rope
• Playing catch

Conclusion

Genetic diseases are illnesses that our parents pass on to us through the genetic code we commonly refer to as DNA. This proof demonstrates that genetic conditions cannot be altered. Many genetic disorders are chromosomally inherited, which means that we get them from our parents. You won’t be able to cure genetic diseases in your body because you can’t replace the entire system.

Please describe your progress in modifying non-genetic conditions through training in the comments section below.