Responses to exercise training (Was: Explosive heavy-resistance...)

[Guest guest]

People vary in response to exercise training. The landmark Heritage Family Study

examined the relationship between genetics and health

(www.pbrc.edu/Heritage/Home.htm). It has produced more than 200 papers and

included some of the top genetics and public health researchers in the world.

They showed that people respond differently to identical exercise stress: there

are responders and non-responders. Gene polymorphisms affect the response to

training, just as they affect the response to drugs, diets, and learning

techniques. Specific gene polymorphisms determine the rate of adaptation and the

ultimate fitness (i.e., strength, power, endurance, speed). Few people are

capable of running under 10.0 in the 100-meters or throwing a discus over 60

meters— no matter how hard they train.

Geneticists are beginning to identify key gene variants necessary for elite

performance. We are only beginning to understand this critical topic. Hard work

is essential to athletic success, but it is unrealistic and misleading to expect

everyone to respond in the same way to a training program. This concept is

important for people working with athletes and the general public.

I attended a lecture at a sports medicine conference in Monterrey, Mexico a

month ago and heard a lecture by an Ukrainian Olympic official. She presented

data on Olympic medal counts in countries awarded the Olympics. All countries

since 1936 made incredible strides during the 8-year interim between the time

they were awarded the games and hosted the games. The most

important factor were programs that identified and developed young talent

systematically during the 8-year period. Even small countries like Greece have

plenty of athletic talent and can become successful internationally with

rigorous grass roots programs. The Chinese, with their massive population, have

carried this idea to a new level. Hopefully, they will not repeat the mistakes

of East Germany.

Tom Fahey

California State University, Chico

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Re: Explosive heavy-resistance training in old and very

old...

=

Somewhere down below is either a comment by or a paraphrased comment

by sson: " there are no innate constraints to the

attainment of elite achievement for healthy individuals " . This does

not mean anything to me without the definition of " elite achievement " .

It seems to imply that training is the key. I agree that it is to a

certain extent, but were this assertion true, the finish of every

Olympic race would be a " photo finish " . By the same token, at the

elite level of any sport, the top would be super crowded. " Deliberate

practice " can definitely make any person the best that they can be,

but if their wiring is not superior to the competition, their

eliteness will remain within themselves.

My wiring and training enables me to do more than 50 pullups, which I

am proud of at the ripe old age of 58, but I know that in20the universe

of 58 year old pull uppers, I am by no means at the top.

Best to all.

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