INHERIT THE WIND
Four ways your genes could inform your running
SPEED V ENDURANCE
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Genes influence your balance of fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibres, which play a crucial role in whether you’ll excel at tearing up the track in a 100m race or will be able to keep going for 26.2 miles without falling apart. For instance, most elite sprinters do not have a particular variation of a gene called ACTN3, which is detrimental to sprint performance.
BUT IS IT HELPFUL? Having this genetic variation only tells you that you won’t challenge Usain Bolt in a sprint, not whether you’ll qualify for the Boston Marathon – and certainly not how to best train for it, says geneticist Stephen Roth, of the University of Maryland, US.
INJURY RISK
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN A certain copy of a gene called COL1A is linked to ruptures in the knee’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) . And 67 snippets of DNA influence your odds of developing fractures. Your genes probably explain part of your propensity for injury, says scientist Dr Stuart Kim of Stanford University, US.
BUT IS IT HELPFUL? The genetic markers that scientists have pinpointed probably explain only a small percentage of the total genetic picture – what we don’t know greatly outweighs what we do know. For now, look to the past – unfortunately, having one injury places you at high risk for a repeat occurrence.
RECOVERY
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Testing companies analyse genes such as IL-6, an inflammation marker, and they can also recommend an ideal amount of downtime.
BUT IS IT HELPFUL? Many factors contribute to your recovery rate, including how hard you ran and what you ate afterward, says Linda Pescatello, of the University of Connecticut, US. To track how it all fits together in real time, use a tool such as Ithlete – which combines a fingertip sensor with an app (£44.99 and £6.99, respectively, at myithlete. com) – to keep tabs on your heart-rate variability, which can indicate overtraining.
BODY TYPE
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Most genetic tests can identify so-called obesity genes, says Pescatello. Certain genetic variations can boost your risk, perhaps by influencing your appetite or propensity for fat storage.
BUT IS IT HELPFUL? Pescatello says many other genes – plus, of course, lifestyle choices such as diet – play a big role in how easily and comfortably you squeeze into your running tights. If you have a family link to obesity – or suspect it, based on a glance around the Christmas dinner table – use it as motivation. As little as an hour of running per week will tip the scales in your favour, even if you’re genetically prone to obesity.