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Genetics vs. Training
Bobby Bonds was the first player of the 20th century to lead his MLB (Major League Baseball)
career off with a grand slam homerun. His son, Barry Bonds, went on to win the National League MVP
(Most Valuable Player) seven times! This raises the question, could this athletic success run in families?
Is it the result of genetic traits passed from parents to their children or rather the result of vigorous
training?
Gene testing is an increasingly popular trend and for good reason it gives a person the chance to
assess themselves as an athlete or even their children. In Posthumus M, Schwellnus MP, and Collin M’s
article, “The COL5A1 Gene: A Novel Marker of Endurance Running Performance,” they give us an
idea of how this gene, COL5A1, affects our flexibility and in turn it affects a person’s running ability.
The more inflexible or stiff you are the higher your ability to run endurance would be according to
Posthumus, Schwellnus and Collin’s article.
On the other hand, there is the argument of superior athletes being developed by means of
training. Chris Lyon’s states in his article, “Nature vs. Nuture,” that it’s not simply just someone’s genes
but more than anything their mental capacity. “Champions are never just born, they do need some
coaching and some effort to get there,” Lyons explains how it’s more than just being blessed but what
one is willing to put in to their personal development. If you look at it someone can condition
themselves to do just about anything for instance marathons, triathlons and even strongman
competitions.
Another very controversial issue connected to genetics is race. Some believe that with race a
genetic advantage is bestowed upon the possessor simply because of their ethnicity or even skin color.
In Alan Mozes’ article, “Athletic Achievement Isn’t in the Genes,” he challenges this matter. Mozes
explains how almost half of Americans believe race is connected to a person’s athletic ability and
athletic success. He also states that there is very little difference in ability between races. “Human
abilities and traits are the result of a complex combination of genes working together,” Mozes declared.
In addition to Mozes’ statements, this next article discusses not only the training aspect but also
genetics and how they affect an athlete. In Elizabeth Quinn’s article,”Are Athletes Born or Built? How
Genetics Influence Athletic Ability,” she explains how anyone could easily be born with the genes to
become a super athlete under the right conditions but it is up to that person to make it happen as far as
developing their abilities are concerned. “Someone with limited genetic potential can find ways to
compensate and become a solid performer,” Quinn puts in plain words. Quinn also state that there is an
abundance of things that can be impacted with practice such as; eating habits, mental skills, etc. Quinn
explains,” Even recreational athletes can make the most of their abilities with optimal conditioning,
good nutrition and a positive mental attitude.” From her article you derive the understanding that
genetics do in fact affect an individual’s ability but more than that what you do for yourself and your
sport molds you as an athlete.
Bobby Bonds and his son, Barry Bonds, were both elite athletes. All these articles would put a
different title on the connection between this father, son duo whether it be genetics, vigorous training or
a combination of both. No definitive answer can be drawn from all this information but instead we have
a much better understanding of what makes an athlete and what it takes.