We're not telling you anything new if we tell you that your biological heritage largely defines who you are, with all the good and bad. It also determines your running performance. It's true that if you adopt the best habits, follow a proper diet, and train with clear goals, you'll improve. But according to science, there are factors like your ability to transport oxygen to your muscles, your muscle mass levels, and your body composition that are defined by the genetic lottery you were dealt. So, if you want to win that marathon or achieve your most ambitious goals, you must keep in mind that your genes largely determine your ability to run excellently or exceptionally.  

In this article, we'll tell you about the importance of your genes when it comes to improving your running performance. Read on! 

There is no one like you, your genes say so. 

Each person inherits nearly 20,000 genes that define each of us as human beings. And as runners, our genetic makeup determines our starting conditions. According to the report Genetic influences in sport and physical performance from the magazine Sports MedicineMuscle performance has a lot to do with muscle mass and its dynamic response to training. Let's look at other data from this study: 

• Genetic factors explain approximately 50 to 80% of the variation in lean body mass.  
• Something similar happens with muscle function: grip strength, pulling strength, and push-pull strength are estimated to be between 44% and 83% heritable.  
• In addition to muscle mass, the efficiency of muscle activity and contraction can also be determined by genetic factors.  

On the other hand, the skeletal muscle that covers our bones and enables movement grows based on the genes that define our endocrine system. Genes give us a unique foundation not only for our musculature but also for many other factors, such as those mentioned above, such as our physique, our ability to transport oxygen to our muscles, and our body composition. 

What are your chances of having impeccable genetics for running? 

Here's a fun fact. According to the report, the chances of an individual having a perfect athletic genotype (i.e., perfect genetics to become number 1 in sports) are less than 1 in 20 millionDoes this fact frustrate you? Come on, genetics isn't everything! 

Runners are born, but they are also made. 

Until now, without mentioning it, we talked about the genotype, that is, the specific combination of genes that determines who you are and makes you a unique person. Your genes will determine your capacity for various aspects, from the tendency to suffer from a hereditary disease or intolerance, to your ability to absorb vitamins or develop muscle mass.  

But this story isn't just about your biological heritage, it's about what you do with it, or how those genes manifest physically in you. This is where it becomes important to talk about another concept: phenotype.  

He phenotype It is the result of the interaction between genes and the atmosphereThat is, a variety of factors, including your genetics, your training, and your diet. Because yes, you can have excellent baseline cardiovascular fitness, but if you follow a diet high in trans fats, even if you have Bolt's genetics, your cholesterol is likely to be sky-high.  

For people like you, passionate about running, your phenotype will be reflected in your height, body composition, muscle strength, cardiovascular capacity, and endurance. So, what if you didn't get a big draw in the genetic lottery? The important thing is to understand that genes don't write your destiny; they only predispose you. Yes, you still have time to establish yourself in the world of running.  

Perhaps it's not because of your basic conditions, but because you have an admirable capacity for sacrifice, because you get up every day and do what you have to do to achieve your goals and because you make conscious decisions that bring you closer to them. Similarly, you can be lucky enough to have optimal conditions to become an elite runner, but not work hard enough to develop them.  

The first step towards a path of (very) ambitious goals 

As someone looking to improve their running performance, undergoing a genetic test will provide you with invaluable information. This will help you advance your running journey, and it will also help you improve your athletic performance and health. It will reflect data such as your cardiometabolic, immune, and neurological health, as well as your food intolerances and your strength and aerobic exercise capabilities. 

At Oorenji RUNNERS, we take your DNA analysis into account to fully customize your nutrition plan and align it with your fitness goals. Today you can take the first step toward enjoying a precision diet. Order your kit, and enjoy the ride! 

Fountain: Genetic influences in sport and physical performance. Zudin Puthucheary, James RA Skipworth, Jai Rawal, Mike Loosemore, Ken Van Someren and Hugh E. Montgomery.UCL Institute for Human Health and Performance, London, UK. English Institute of Sport, Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, UK. 

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