After reading all of your suggestions for blog posts, I decided that this week we would write about the "Speed Gene." Is there such a thing as being born athletic? Do our genes determine determine if we are more likely to be an athlete or an academic?
Pick one of the articles below:
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/anatomyandphysiology/a/genetics.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3993978/
OR watch the following TED talk:
In a scholarly paragraph, (at least 5 sentences long with proper punctuation) explain what you learned. First, state which article you read or if you watched the TED talk. Summarize what you learned. Then explain your personal opinion about this subject. Is athleticism learned or inherited? Is there really such a thing as a "Sport Gene?" Finally, summarize how this article will influence you.
I read the genetic literacy project. It talked about how where you live could have an effect on how you perform in sports. For example, someone with African ancestry are usually better runners than those of Asians or Chinese, but Chinese are usually better at gymnasts and ice skaters. The article counters this by saying that it could also be the way you grew up and if you have ever seen Chinese training for gymnastics this isn’t hard to believe but they make the point that people from different places have different body figures that give advantages to certain ethnicities but no scientist wants to look into it in fear of being called racist. I think athleticism is both learned and inherited because of personal experience because my family has a history of weak knees. I think this article has influenced me by showing me that maybe I was built for low impact sports like cycling or swimming and not dance or running.
ReplyDeleteI agree that some factors maybe linked to race as I do see it very commonly that certain races have had higher performances athletically than other races.
DeleteI read the article from “http://www.cbsnews.com/news/are-elite-athletes-born-or-made/”. It made really great points about if athletes are born with talent or made. In the article it talks about how it's a 100% of both genetics and practice. I totally agree. You need to practice any sport to be good at it, but you always need genetics to help you do that sport. You can't be playing basketball if you are super scrawny and short, but if you got genetics that made you tall you could be a great athlete. It said some people are just born with the “genetic build” where they can take on any sport they want to do and they can or will succeed. I can relate to this because my sister has the “sports gene”. She can play any sport she likes with no problem and be great at it. Me on the other hand I need some practice before i'm good at it. I think there is a type of thing called the sports gene but its not a certain gene, its a bunch of different genes that could aid in the sport you're in.
ReplyDeletei agree that the sport gene (if there's any) is a bunch of genes together that could give you advantages in a sport as long as you work hard enough.
DeleteI can relate, because my older brother can pick up on a sport really quickly, but it takes me time and practice to master a sport.
DeleteI so agree, great job with your wording. It's like Kailyn learning new tumbling so fast while I take forever to learn.
DeleteI completely agree with you Kyra. I don't think that we totally inherit the gene that makes you like sports from our parents because we can have a different personality and preference.
DeleteI feel that athletes are getting faster stronger ect. Thought they are not that much of a difference between the differences between them. As he the speaker said the human bodies are adapting and becoming better for certain things. Basketball players are much taller, and swimmers have longer upper body. Overall i feel that we are geting faster and stronger ect. but just a little bit.
ReplyDeleteI do agree we are getting stronger, bigger, faster, etc. but I think a big reason is technology.
DeleteI agree that humans are evolving, and that we have found smarter methods in getting that way. Like Jacob said a big resaon is technology
DeleteYes humans are evolving but it will take years to do and we might lose some athletic things as we evolve too so...
DeleteI read the variations article from 23andMe. I learned that there actually is a gene called ACTN3 or “gene for speed”, that provides short bursts of power to better your performance in activities like running or lifting. The gene makes a code for a muscle protein, but some make it hard to build muscles. Olympic level athletes usually have at least one of these genes. Only one olympic athlete has ever not had this gene. I don't really have an opinion on the gene. I just know that I don’t have it.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't have the gene either. But since an Olympic athlete could preform well without the gene, wouldn't that lead to you believe that life isn't just all about genetics?
DeleteI read the article "Are Elite Athletes Born or Made". Throughout the article experts explained if people were born with the natural athletic ability or if a person has to train and work hard in order to obtain this ability. It takes some people years to master any given sport, but it can take a few months for other people to master the sport in a short period of time. Many people work hard at a sport, putting in all of the time and energy in order to succeed. People who can pick up and master arduous tasks quickly can be just as good as someone who has been practicing the sport for years. I believe that if you have the desire and capability to master a specific sport, you can conquer this obstacle in a short amount of time, even if it takes a person years of hard work to master the same sport or task.
ReplyDeleteWell, practice makes perfect!
DeleteI agree with you Grace that you need to just put time and effort into it and you could achieve your goals.
DeleteI watched the ted talk. The guy speaking brings up the olympics to start off his talk, and then brings up the question: Why in the last hundred years have athletes become so much better, and evolved? Newly olympians have blown away the past records. He uses an example of running, and how people today are running miles under four minutes. He consulted several biomechanics and said that the cinder and ash from wood that runners in the 1900’s ran on compared to the synthetic track runners today run on, is 1.5% slower, causing not only an evolution of man, but an evolution of the game. The training has improved dramatically in the fact that college kids today are training better than olympic runners back a century ago. The improvement in sports have improved dramatically due to thinner shoes, aerodynamic bikes, and low friction swimsuits that make swimmers swim faster. That brings up one of my ideas, in that have athletes evolved over time, or have the technology, and science behind it all evolved over time? In order to keep the crowd from yawning, he said that if you knew a man between the age of 25 and 40 that is over 7 feet tall, there is a 17% chance he i in the NBA. This is because sports have become more specialized in the type of people that go out/ the type of people that teams recruit. NBA players got taller, and gymnasts got smaller. I think that athleticism is both learned and inherited. Athletes have to be taught how to do their sport, and have the will to do so, while at the same time, the sport is evolving around them, causing an easier playing field (both figuratively and literally). There is no such thing as a sports gene. Nurture over nature. When Michael Jordan didn’t make his freshman basketball team, he could have gave up and became a doctor. However, it was his will to learn that made him so remarkable. This article influenced me because it all comes down to how dedicated you are to chasing down your dream.
ReplyDeleteAlec,
DeleteDo you think that shoes and equipment make a difference in athletic performance?
I agree that athletes have gotten much better over the last 100 years, and I also believe this has to do with genetics more than equipment.
DeleteI read the scientific american article on whether genes affect our physical performance. It stated, "ACTN3, which in elite-level athletes is associated with the presence of the muscle protein alpha-actinin-3. The protein helps muscles contract powerfully at high speeds, which may explain why the combination of ACTN3 variants that produce it has been found in Olympic sprinters.” I believe that true athleticism is earned through hard work. But I also believe that our genes can either aid us in becoming a true athlete or hold us back. The article said containing the muscle protein alpha-actinin-3 is a tool, but is not THE tool. What this is saying is that even containing the protein which is said to increase physical performance, it doesn’t mean everything is going to come easy to you. Athleticism is more learned, than earned.
ReplyDeleteBrittany,
DeleteWhat about flexibility? As a gymnast, do you think that some athletes are naturally more flexible?
I agree that in order to become a better athlete, you have to train and work hard in order to succeed.
DeleteI read the same article, I agree that athleticism is mostly earned but I wonder how much the extra protein would affect your performance in a sport.
DeleteI watched the TED Talk about how performance in sports over time. I learned that the general improvement in athlete’s performance in sports was due to three things. The first was that technology, such as the track you run on or the swimsuit you wear, can make a huge difference in your time. Next was that teams have began looking for a certain body type (instead of just average) to participate in their sport, like tall basketball players, and television and local clubs have made sports easily accessible to everyone. Finally, I learned that now that people have set records or done the unthinkable, people have the courage to go above and beyond them. They know the feat is humanly possible, so why not? I think that athleticism may be inherited to some degree, for example the Nigerian tribe that has evolved due to the climate to be perfect runners with the perfect body type, but training and technology also have a big influence. I don’t think that there is a specific gene that dictates how athletic you can be, but things like evolution and body type, which are influenced by genes, certainly affect athletic performance. This article can influence me by teaching me more about sports and the world around me, and how limitless humans can really be. With the Summer Olympics coming up, I will no longer wonder why all of the athletes in a sport have the same build, frame, age, and nationality, but what technology will do for the sport in the future.
ReplyDeleteIan,
DeleteCan you think of an example of an athlete that doesn't fit the bill? Someone who is different than most of the athletes in their field, but still excels? How do you explain that?
In tennis, most people I play are medium to tall and skinny, but occasionally we will play bigger, more football player looking people, and they turn out to do pretty well. I would probably explain this with the gene for athletics that I recently learned about.
DeleteI see your reasoning in this post. Really interesting about how it might be genetics to be athletic.
DeleteI read the article on 23 and me. There is a gene that helps athletes gain their ultimate power. This gene is know as the "speed gene" or the scientific name ACTN3. This gene creates special proteins that other people who do not have the gene do not make. This gene is a big help, but it does not mean that you have to have this gene to be a top athlete.
ReplyDeleteJacob,
DeleteWhat do you think? You need to give more of your own opinion in this paragraph.
I found this really interesting. I didn't know that genetics really had a part in athletics except for body types. It's interesting how practice isn't the only thing that makes practice.
DeleteHard work makes it so the people without the gene, and the people with it even.
DeleteI agree and think that to be a top athlete you don't have to have the ACTN3 gene, what it takes to get there is hard work.
DeleteI read the scientific american article, and it said that there is a gene, ACTN3, that determines a person’s athletic ability. The article stated that the gene does help to determine athletic ability, but there are many other factors that make it hard to determine exactly how much this gene affects people’s ability in athletics. Personally, I think that even though there may be a gene that affects it, sports have to be learned and practiced, and people aren’t born right away able to throw a 90 mph baseball. Even if there’s a gene, it takes practice and dedication. This really isn’t going to affect my life that much because I don’t like sports. I don’t like playing them or watching them. So, the idea that there is a sports gene won’t really matter to me at all.
ReplyDeleteBridget,
DeleteFor someone that doesn't like sports, I have to say that you are totally correct about baseball. Being able to pitch a baseball is definitely something that requires practice. I have sat through enough Little League games to testify to that fact that practice is important.
I agree that while it may be in their genes (quite literally), you can't get good at something without practice. After all, practice does make perfect.
DeleteWhen I watched the TED talk about the performance in sports overtime, I found out that not everyone is cut out for the job. For example, in basketball you don't see many guys that are not past 6 feet tall in the NBA. I believe that you may be born with athletic talent but, if you really wanted to be an athlete, there is so much technology and new training to make sure that you can evolve and be a great athlete.
ReplyDeleteI agree but you're kind of short Dean, what are your plans on your athletic career?
DeleteWow dean, this is an awesome response. I agree that height is why NBA players are so good.
DeleteDean, what do you mean when you say "past 6 feet tall?" Does that mean that players are most likely to be taller than 6 feet? I agree that height is important in basketball, but in certain sports it is advantageous to be short.
DeleteI read the article what makes an athlete great and why it matters. I think that there is something that genes do to make people better at sports. Some people have stronger muscles from birth, some people are naturally fast, some are naturally tall. Genes plays a big part in how good someone is at a sport but it also takes a lot of hard work. My takeaway is that genes play a big part in sports and that you need to keep working harder to pass the genetically superior players.
ReplyDeleteJack which article did you read?
DeleteI read the article “Can genes predict athletic performance?” and I was surprised at what I learned. At a cost of $149 people can find out if their child has the ACTN3 gene which helps muscles contract powerfully at high speeds. The gene isn’t a guaranteed yes though. Nobody knows how much the gene helps but I personally hope that we find out. From this information there is technically a sport gene but it is not the only thing that helps.
ReplyDeleteMichael,
DeleteWould you want to do the test to see if your kid is athletically inclined? Would you be sad to find out that your kid has the gene, but chooses to be an artist instead of an athlete?
I read the scientific american article. I learned from the article that there is a gene called ACTN3 that can play a role in one's athleticism. The article claimed that this newly found gene can determine somebody's athletic ability. I believe this is true. There are many famous sports figures that are just gifted naturally. For example, Usain Bolt was born fast, it wasn’t just all hard work and dedication. This makes me wonder if I have the gene or if any of my friends do.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that there is a reason that there are so many fast sprinters from Jamaica? Is it in their genes? Or do you think it has to do with their training?
DeleteThis discovery is really interesting, and something I haven't heard about before (I did the TED talk and it wasn't mentioned). Could this gene and others finally solve the question of nature vs nurture?
DeleteI read the article called “Variations:Speed Gene Fact or Fiction” in which it details about a discovered gene called ACTN3 which is assured by scientists that it carries a major role in sport performance. The gene instructs a muscle protein which most Olympic-level power athletes have which gave the conclusion to scientists that it is impossible to get to such level without the gene. However, there was one exception as there was a champion long jumper with no signs of having the gene at all. It is unsure if athleticism is learned or inherited, but I must say that different people have different inherited skills,and they also have skills that they must(or want to)learn. Personally, I don’t think finding out about the gene will influence me that much, but at least I’m informed about the topic.
ReplyDeleteLisette,
DeleteWould you want to know if you have the "artistic" gene? Do you think that some kids are born more artistically talented than others?
Based on my observations and after being very good friends with an artist, it seems knowledgable that there is an "artistic" gene. No one in my family is talented at art in any way, whereas my good friend also has a grandma who is/was an artist. It would seem to me that it is indeed a gene- which is just like athleticism (doesn't mean an artist can't be athletic too, or vice versa).
DeleteI read the article titled “sport medicine”. I learned a lot about how genetics while they can improve your chances of being a natural athlete but your determination and perseverance are the real factors into becoming a professional athlete. I also learned that genetics can't decide if someone is a good basketball player or a better football player but it can decide their heart strength and endurance. While some things can be learned it just comes more naturally without training. I didn't know that some people who are better at sports aren't necessarily good at training for that sport.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how you said its your determination and perseverance that mostly factor in with being a good athlete
DeleteBut what if people try really hard? Its not always necessarily about how natraul it is.
DeleteI agree that genetics aren't everything. If you have the genes but don't work hard, you're not going to get anywhere.
DeleteI read Variations : Speed gene: Fact or Fiction?. It talks about the gene ACTN3 which can be called the speed gene. People who have working copies of this gene are more likely to be at the top of their game, unlike those who don't. HOWEVER scientists have been proven wrong. I believe that a gene cannot determine if you are athletic or not, it doesn't seem right. Some people are more athletic and I think that has to do with talent or hard work. It takes years of practice to get good at something and thats simply what it takes. This article has really shown me that there may be a " athletic gene", however it does not mean you can't reach your full potential if you lack a working copy of it.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with this whole post! I don't think that a gene alone could create an athletic superstar without the help of some hard work and dedication.
DeleteSo true. Hard work and determination has to count in sports. Otherwise, there would be no need for sports conditioning and practices.
DeleteI read the article about ACTN3 and the way I see it it is a fascinating thing.While it can improve or stimulate our athletic abilities we must account for other factors as well such as medial problems or anomalies that can hurt or stimulate people.So it there may be a "sport gene" or it may be a coincidence that people with ACTN3 or it multiple factors mixing with genes causing this affect.As for me i don't think I have the sport gene but as we evolve there might be more carriers of this "sport genes" if it is real.So in a near future their may be people more athletic than the legends of today in sports may be outshine as talent and skills build in future generations or this "sport gene" will be abundant.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading “Are Athletes Born or Made?” from CBS Sports, It made me wonder if all these athletes do have a gene that helps them perform for their specific sport. Dan McLaughlin opens up about resigning from his photography to compete for a spot in the pro golf tournament. He’s been working 6 days a week to train 10,000 hours to perform as well as a professional can. Some athletes appear to be playing a sport that compliment their physical features. For example, NFL players on average are bigger than MLB players, because football is a more physical sport than baseball. From reading the article and watching sports, I do think athletes have a gene that helps them in their sport. I think athleticism depends on where you live too, and what sports are commonly played in their culture. Like in Canada, there are more hockey players than baseball players because it is constantly cold. Realizing that there might be a gene that determines whether or not you’re athletic, makes it feel like it’s harder to succeed in a sport you’re interested in.
ReplyDeleteKatie,
DeleteHave you ever read the book "The Outliers?" There is an entire section devoted to Canadian hockey players. I think you would like it.
I agree that maybe athlete have a gene that helps them, but do you think that some are also good at the sports they exceed in because of the hard training? Or do you think that they should rely solely on that gene?
DeleteI randomly selected one of the links you provided and it led me to the article Speed Gene: Fact or Fiction?; there, I learned that scientists have recently been studying why some people are better athletes than others. Apparently, they thought they had discovered a gene called ACTN3, which helps muscle proteins grow and made better sportsman. However, the scientists eventually discovered that an Olympic long jumper didn’t have this gene, though she was extremely talented. This lead me to believe that being good at something doesn’t rely solely on genetics, and that both beneficial genes and dedication is what makes athletes. Personally, I’m not very athletic (though my dad is a runner) and gives me another excuse for why I don’t enjoy sports. My focus is definitely more focused on all things musical, being both a band nerd and a choir kid. Since there are genes that help athletes be better at what they do, maybe there is some kind of “musical” gene… like a gene that helps you tell the difference between pitches or enhances your ability to blow in a certain way in order to play the instrument. Something like that would be cool to find out.
ReplyDeleteAnnika,
DeleteA musical gene might be something. My sister that teaches at PR is totally tone-deaf...is that genetic?
I read the scientific America article on how the company Atlas sports genetics is selling genetic tests that search for a variant of gene variants of ACTN3. Which, can make a protein that can make your muscles contract at high speeds, and thus, helping you in sports. While I think this is cool, I don't think the parents should determine their kids whole future based on this one test, like it was stated in the article. It would be cruel to say "no" to your child just because of a gene test. While this isn't really the same as playing sports, I have been singing in choir since 5th grade, and I have to admit, I was pretty bad. But, over the years I have "trained my voice" to sing how I want, and have gotten significantly better as the years went on with a lot of practice. I think the same thing can happen in sports. If you try hard enough and practice, you can easily get better at a sport, over a given amount of time.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is better for parents not to take this test, because they might force their kids to do sports.
DeleteI agree that using genetic tests on an unborn child is unfair, after all the child could be born with the genetic quality but not be interested in sports.
DeleteI read the article 'Can Genes Predict Athletic Ability', and it was very fascinating. A company within the U.S tests DNA samples to scan for certain traces of a protein making gene. This gene can predict certain athletic outcomes and may also be found in certain Olympic athletes. This leads to the idea that genes can produce better athletes, and if lacking those genes, you will most likely not be athletic. In my opinion I am somewhat in agreement to this, but definitely not completely. I do believe that if you're genetically built small and skinnier than most people, he or she would most likely be very good a track, rather than being a star football player. And being genetically made to have a better endurance than not will give you a step up on the competition. But I do believe that if you train hard enough, that will outplay natural ability. So overall I think that athleticism is not able to be predicted, but I do believe that you can find genetics that give you an edge on the competition.
ReplyDeleteI read “Speed Gene: Fact or Fiction?”. I learned that there is a certain gene that is usually found in high power Olympic competitors. There are very few successful Olympic athletes without this gene called ACTN3. This is crazy to me! I never really thought there was a specific gene that helped with athleticism; I thought it was just practice that made perfect athletes. This article was pretty convincing, although I still believe you have to work hard if you want to be successful with sports. This makes me wonder, if this gene is real, is this what geneticists are using to create the athletic “designer” babies? I think that this article will influence me to do some further research. This is very interesting to me and I’d like to learn more about these unusual genes.
ReplyDeleteBy reading the Scientific American article I learned there is a combination of 3 genes found in saliva that has been traced to athletic ability. My only criticism with the article is it failed to provide sufficient evidence between actual people with athletic ability and the correct combination of ACTN3. Otherwise I'll continue to be skeptical.
ReplyDeleteI read the article "Variations: Speed Gene: Fact or Fiction?". During the article, the author explained how there could be a gene that determines whether you will be at the top of your game or not during an activity. The gene is called ACTN3 and is also known as the "speed gene". This particular gene has instructions that make a muscle protein. Most Olympic athletes have at least one copy of this gene. In my opinion, this gene wouldn't effect many people if they do have it, but may make them slightly more athletic then the people who don't carry this gene. Additionally, this makes me wonder if this gene is why certain people LIKE physical activity/never get tired of it. I'm not saying I dislike or love working out, but I wonder if this gene is why some people just love to run (for example) and never really stop; after school, before school, etc.. Overall, the gene ACTN3 was very interesting to read about, because this makes me wonder who possesses the gene and who doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI read the article by Scientific American and found much of this information new and very interesting. In the article they talk about how a company in Boulder, Colorado is now starting to offer genetic tests that can screen for various proteins and genes that can determine athleticism. This test screens for variants of a gene called ACTN3 which is connected in athletes to the muscle protein alpha-actinin-3. I found it very interesting that a combination of these variants is found in athletic sprinters and that with this protein it causes the muscles to contract at high speeds. This is very impactful on our future lives as it can determine maybe what sports we would put our kids into. Ultimately I think a kid should pick a sport based on their interests and work to get better, but it would be interesting to know which variants a kid may have. While my brothers are both very athletic and are great at many sports it would be interesting to know which genes they might have or even for my future kids.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article "Can Genes Predict Athletic Performance?" I learned a lot about the possibilities and chances of your child having athletic ability. According to the article, there is no 100% way to find if your child has "athleticism" ("power", endurance, etc) but, you can in fact take a saliva test to configure if your child has these abilities. But, their motivations take a big part; you cannot determine if a child will be good at a a sport AND want to play it. No one knows how to quantify performance though. Based on what I have read, I would not rely on this test to determine my child's athletic ability. I believe in letting people decide what they want, and if they like it, keep at it. Who cares if you're not that amazing at a sport, as long as you enjoy it and like what you're doing. With the giving information, I believe that it's not truly able to be predicted, you can test your potential strengths, but not your true ethleticism.
ReplyDeleteI think this athletic gene is cool. It really improves some peoples performance, which isn't fair for the other athletes. If all the other people don't have this gene, is it fair to let them compete?
ReplyDeleteI agree, if the gene does improve somebody's ability substantially, then it would be unfair to people who don't have it. But then again life isn't fair. So for the people that don't have that gene, they just need to work and train harder than the others to be just as good, probably even better, than the people with the gene.
DeleteI read the article on 23andme. It talks about how there is supposedly a gene that helps you make it to the top. This gene is known as the speed gene but scientists know it as ACTN3. People think that this gene is what will supposedly help people reach their peak. It is supposedly that this is the difference between an olympic athlete and a normal athlete. I think this could be a helper to your so called fate as an athlete but it's all about how hard you work and how dedicated you are. It's not all about a gene. If you work hard enough you will succeed.
ReplyDeleteI watched the TED talk. I learned on how humans have become ridiculously talented at sports and all the modernized stuff that helps them. I though do not believe there is a sport gene. I believe you become good at a sport because (this is going to sound really cheesy) you work hard at it. It’s really hard to be just born with a certain talent. I also think all the improvements we’ve made today increase their odds.
ReplyDeleteI agree I think that modern equipment plays a huge role in newly broken records.
DeleteI agree, Technology does determine how well we can perform, but I think genetics plays a role too.
DeleteI read the article from 23andMe,and I learned that there actually is a gene called ACTN3 or “gene for speed”. This gene provides for short bursts of power to better your performance in activities, or sports. The gene codes for a protein that makes muscle in the body, but some make it hard to build muscles. Olympic level athletes usually have at least one of these genes. Only one olympic athlete has ever not had this gene. I don't think it really matters if athletes are born with it, it's the luck of the draw. People shouldn't be upset with because most of these athletes just have natural ability that make them even better than other athletes.
ReplyDeleteI read the article from ¨Scientific American¨, about how by looking at a childś genes, they can see if they will have strength or agility (every time I try and use apostrophe itś an accent for some reason). There is a certain gene called ACTN3, which makes a protein that makes your musucles have strength, that normal muscles wouldnt have, which makes you physically better at most sports. This gene can also make you have quicker agility than other people, which would improve your performance in sports like sprinting. I don´t think that parents should test their child for this gene to see if they are good at sports. I feel like parents who know their children are incredibly strong would pressure them into sports, whether they want to do these sports or not. The parents might even guilt the child into doing the sports saying ¨You have a ´gift´¨. I think it is better to have the kids find out on their own what they want to do.
ReplyDeleteI agree. There's already enough pressure that comes from parents to participate in sports. Adding the promise of "genetic greatness" would make it unbearable.
DeleteI watched the TED Talk and learned about how sports have evolved throughout history. David Epstein talked about how the technology of sports has changed to become more efficient, the genetic traits have been refined, and the mindset of pushing yourself more fully discovered. Athleticism is inherited through the refined traits such as extreme height for basketball and long torsos for swimming. This however is not the only factor, athleticism is also learned through mastery of the brain and being able to push yourself farther and farther with practice. Another change between sports in the twentieth century and now is the aspect of patronage, athletes use to only be able to practice for an hour or two to fit their schedule but now athletes are able to join teams and get paid more for their performance, enabling them to train all day instead of needing to work. This video won’t really influence my life because I don’t involve myself in sports but it was interesting to hear about.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the scientific american article, I learned a lot about how genes affect our athletic performance. In the article it stated, "ACTN3, which in elite-level athletes is associated with the presence of the muscle protein alpha-actinin-3. The protein helps muscles contract powerfully at high speeds, which may explain why the combination of ACTN3 variants that produce it has been found in Olympic sprinters.” Although I do believe that this gene does aid in athletic performance, I also believe that there are other factors that have a role in how athletic someone is. Some other factors may include how tall you are, how muscular you are, what environment you were raised in but, most importantly, true athleticism depends on how hard you work and how determined you are. Having the ACTN3 gene may be a very beneficial tool but I definitely think that you do not need to have it in order to succeed.
ReplyDeleteI read the scientific America article, and I think it's interesting how a company if selling tests for the gene ACTN3 for $149. This gene is commonly associated with being "more athletic". Although this gene can help, I don't think it's everything. If someone is working really hard towards their goal, and someone else is slacking off, no matter if the slacker has the gene and the hard worker doesn't, the person who is working harder is going to prevail. The company's president agrees with this, saying "It's a question of their motivation". Overall, I think that the gene does exist, and it can help, but just because you have this gene doesn't mean you're automatically better than everyone without it. In the end, hard work is what counts.
ReplyDeleteI read the article "Are athletes born or made" from CBS. I am not for sure if athletes are born with a gene that makes them athletic or not. But, personally I think athletes are made. People don't just make the NBA because they are born with talent. They have to put in the work.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% Dutt
DeleteI agree with most of what you said but I don't think talent and athleticism are the same thing
DeleteI read the article Can genes predict Athletic ability and i liked it. I Learnt that a company in the USA tests people to find a protein making gene and the gene can predict if you will be an athlete or not. And if you don't have the genes you probably wont be very athletic. In my opinion you are built for a sport because if you are really skinny you wont be a football or a rugby player. But if you're born with a slow metabolism you probably wont be good at cross country. You could inherit it and be born with it in my opinion. It somewhat impacts me because I used to play soccer but then I got to high school and it was difficult to handle so it affects me in the way that I kind of learnt it I guess?
ReplyDeleteI saw the Ted talk and it was about how people have broken records in athleticism. Researches said that improvement in technology has helped in the improvement to athletes performing better than ever before. The ted talk was also talking about how the human body has been switching up in other to preform better on the sport they play. Like basketball players are way taller and longer than before.
ReplyDeleteI read the article "Are athletes born or made" from CBS.about how by looking at a childś genes, they can see if they will have strength or agility thats above others. this was a very inresting video. i do belive that you can tell.
ReplyDeleteToday i read http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/genes-sports-talent/. I though this article was verry interesting, it helped give me a better overall understanding of how genetics work. Also after reading i have come to the conclusion that being a good athlete can strand from genetics, but threw hard work i believe athleticism comes from.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the part about how genetics can help athletes. Though I disagree with the throwing away all the hard work and effort. It takes the strongest of the mind to do this, to endure training and make it across that home plate or finish line. You have to belive you can do it and put forth the effort to make it happen. Sure a gene can help with that but is not make up the all of being an athlete.
DeleteThis week I read the Scientific-American article. It focused on the role of genetics in sports and how the presence of the gene ACTN3 is slightly linked to high sports performance. But, as the article goes on, it says multiple times that having this gene does not guarantee anything. Over 200 genes are linked to assisting in fitness related advantages. In my opinion, I can see how certain traits and/or genes can help us be athletes, seeing as pros are spectacularly good, but I don’t think that there is a universal “sports gene.” This news won’t really influence me much. I am not really interested in having any genetics testing as the article talks about. Whatever gene compilation I have doesn’t help or hurt my sport abilities.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article called "How Genetics Influence Athletic Ability" they show that although genetics don't make you good or bad, they do play a role in making a good athlete. Traits like how many mitocondria per cell and how strong your heart is. This does not mean if you're parents are not athletic at all then you'll be bad at sports because hard work and diet play a much bigger part. So if you are not athletic and the rest of you're family isn't athletic as well, don't worry.
ReplyDeleteIn “Are elite athletes born or made” they say that genes do play a role in elite athletes being as good as they are. Some athletes are just built for their sport. Like basketball players are not very tall and that gives them an advantage on the court. I think to become an elite athlete it does take so born talent, it may not be an athleticism gene but different genes like height play a role in how good of an athlete you will be for a specific sport. Also in the article it states that hard work also plays a big role in becoming an elite athlete. I agree someone who may have more talent but does not work as hard will get beat out by someone who has less talent but work harder. But if someone has talent and they work hard they are pretty much unstoppable. So yes I think there is genes that help aid in how athletic one may be but not a specific “sport gene”.
ReplyDeleteI read the sports medicine article about this topic and ended up with a pretty solid opinion, the genes have little affect. Now I'm not saying that the genes don't matter, or that they don't play any role in someone's athletic ability, just that it doesn't affect much. The way people train, eat, and live will be a much bigger factor that if somebody has six more "speed genes" than another person. The health of a person's heart will also be major factor, if they have a weak heart then they would probably have a much less chance of being able to train like an Olympic athlete than somebody who has a strong heart. In the end I guess that I would just say that training, a good diet, and being healthy is what will make people athletic. Anybody can be a great athlete, even if they don't have a special gene that will make them faster from birth.
ReplyDeleteI watched the ted talk about the so called "sport gene" and I don't believe that there is a sport gene. The reason i think this is more of a natural selection thing. more of a survival of the fittest because the athletes in this day and age are able to reproduce and pay for multiple children while the less athletic may earn less and therefore by the process of natural selection the athletes produce more capable offspring.
ReplyDeleteI watched the TED Talk, I thought that it was true when he said That certain body types are better at certain sports. Thats why gymnasts are short and basketball players are tall. Height and other important factor play an important Role in how well you can perform in sports. Genetics can determine how good you are at a sport, but if you try hard enough or use enough athletic enhancing drugs you can overcome it.
ReplyDeleteI read the article Variations - Speed gene Fact or Fiction? from the website 23andMe. This article informed me about the gene called ACTN3 also know as the speed gene. Many Olympic athletes have these genes. Though these athletes have a special gene it takes more than that. You don't necessarily need one to be a big athlete. A champion long jumper didn't have this working gene. It takes effort and the willingness to process to get someone to a level like the Olympics. I think that there is something more behind each person. I mean every child has a dream and those you go after their dreams end up on top. Sure the ACTN3 gene helps many big athletes on their journeys to getting there. H. Jackson Brown Jr. an author for an inspirational book said “Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.” This long jumper never gave up. And you can succeed in what you wish to do as long as you don’t give up on those dreams. Yes it will take time and effort for each step of the way but if you don’t ever take that first step then you will never make it. That is just my thoughts and the way this article had me look at things. Now if you are still reading I think that today can be anyone's day as well as your's to take that step.
ReplyDeleteI ended up reading the the article on Sports Medicine and learned a lot. I do believe that genes play a small role in how athletic you are. But, more importantly how you train and keep your body healthy is a much bigger factor. Genes may give you better attributes like height and good, strong, healthy body parts but it all comes down to the will and desire of the athlete. I would take a less genetically gifted hard working athlete over a gifted genetically lazy athlete any day of the week.
ReplyDeleteI read the article on Sports Medicine. I think that genes play a role in being athletic. Genes can help boost how athletic you are but how you diet and excercise is a true test of your athletic ability. While factors such as height play a factor it boils down to the athlete wanting to get stronger and faster.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you but how hard you work to be an athlete is a big factor.
DeleteI read the scientific american article. This article talked about how genes may have a large affect on whether or not a child is athletic. The don't know for sure whether a few genes are a factor or possibly many. There is a test you can take in order to see if you have the gene that allows you to have faster working muscles. I think this might have a part in making somebody athletic but anyone is able to be an athlete if they push themselves. It's not always about what types of genes your given.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on how an athlete might be given an advantage if they already have athletic genes, but what makes a true athlete is their practice and dedication.
DeleteI read the "Are Elite Athletes Born or Made?" article and I found it very interesting. This article talked about the whether or not athlete are born with natural talent, or does intense practice make them the stars that they are now. Former photographer, Dan McLaughlin, believe that practice does make perfect because even though he has not been training his whole life like regular pro golfers, he believes that rigorous training and dedication will get him to the pro level. While practicing is very beneficial, nature physical build can greatly benefit the athlete. For example, is you were a basketball player being tall would give you and advantage rather than you being short. So in conclusion, an athletes physical build can help them greatly but what really makes them an athlete is their dedication to the sport and practice.
ReplyDeleteI read to Variations article by 23andMe. I read and learned that there is a gene called ACTN3, also known as the “gene for speed.” This gene will shortly supply you with a burst of energy that can improve your pathetic ability like lifting or running. The article said that olympic athletes will have at least one of these genes and that is why they are able to perform the way they do. Personally I don't really know what I think about this. Is this gene really the reason some people excel at sports more than others or is it practice that gets you to a certain athletic level. I think that their is a certain amount of commitment and practice that will make you a better athlete. For example, if were talking about baseball, being able to pitch is not easy and it takes time to master. If players did not train and practice they would not be as good of a pitcher they are. Yeah maybe the ACTN3 gene will help you be a good athlete, you will defiantly need more than just the gene.
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