The trait does seem to have a hereditary factor. Do they know what it is? Could they genetically engineer a fast runner?
Why is the trait so relatively rare? Seems like being fast would always be a Darwin advantage.
The ability to run fast is absolutely genetic, but it is multi-factorial, which means it is not a single trait, but a combination of many traits.
If we are talking about middle-distance and up you could start with the genes that make for V02 max. There are more than 20, and some make for high base V02 max and little response to train; some are low base/high-response or low base response, and the ideal, high-base/high response.
The interesting thing about V02 max, however, is that it is a great differentiator between the elite athlete and the general population (so you are looking at somewhere north of 70 as a bare minimum), but a lousy one among elites. So, for example, if you tried to predict the time trial of ability of a Tour de France cycle team by V02 Max, you'd likely be way out.
Instead, the biggest differentiator among elites is biomechanical efficiency. That too is a complex trait with numerous different genes, including bone length and density; tendon attachment points, tendon stiffness; muscle composition (fast and slow twitch is controlled by a gene for myostatin "MSTN").
There are also genes for metabolic efficiency, such as pparg1-a which helps reduce lacatate accumulation. Beyond that there is also the mitochondrial dna (inherited only through the direct maternal line) and the interactions between the mtDNA and nuclear dna.
You can see from that, just editing one gene is unlikely to create a super-runner, and that's leaving aside that there a generally numerous gene interactions. not all of which we understand.
The trait does seem to have a hereditary factor. Do they know what it is? Could they genetically engineer a fast runner?
Why is the trait so relatively rare? Seems like being fast would always be a Darwin advantage.
Running fast is something that pretty much never is needed. Ability to do moderate work over long periods of times would be a ton more useful in more if not in sports. And genetically would you rather be a super hot chick or a super fast one? Don’t have to be to smart to answer that. Do you think being smart is more important than 20 iq points?
Genectically there are a zillion factors from things like tendon attachment points, number of muscle fibers, mitochondrial efficiency and density and so on. If you want an elite runner you need to turn on a lot of genes
The trait does seem to have a hereditary factor. Do they know what it is? Could they genetically engineer a fast runner?
Why is the trait so relatively rare? Seems like being fast would always be a Darwin advantage.
i don’t think fast runners are rare. i think most of the possible fast runners either do other sports or have no interest in running.
while there are many traits that make fast runners, the thing that has set all of the fast people that i’ve coached apart from the pack is their ability to adapt to training. it’s incredible how fast talented athletes adapt to training and become faster, stronger and just better overall.
Maybe true for 400m & down, where pro athletes in other sports could probably run some solid times (& many did in HS). But there aren't a lot of true distance runners making it in bigger sports. There aren't basketball players ready to run great marathons. I think distance runners self select to distance running, for the most part.
Of course they are rare. We are spread across a bell shaped curve. There are not many people who could run sub 13 doing other sports. I don't believe there are any.
Maybe true for 400m & down, where pro athletes in other sports could probably run some solid times (& many did in HS). But there aren't a lot of true distance runners making it in bigger sports. There aren't basketball players ready to run great marathons. I think distance runners self select to distance running, for the most part.
I think there are A LOT of soccer players that could have been really good if not great middle and distance runners.
The trait does seem to have a hereditary factor. Do they know what it is? Could they genetically engineer a fast runner?
Why is the trait so relatively rare? Seems like being fast would always be a Darwin advantage.
The ability to run fast is absolutely genetic, but it is multi-factorial, which means it is not a single trait, but a combination of many traits.
If we are talking about middle-distance and up you could start with the genes that make for V02 max. There are more than 20, and some make for high base V02 max and little response to train; some are low base/high-response or low base response, and the ideal, high-base/high response.
The interesting thing about V02 max, however, is that it is a great differentiator between the elite athlete and the general population (so you are looking at somewhere north of 70 as a bare minimum), but a lousy one among elites. So, for example, if you tried to predict the time trial of ability of a Tour de France cycle team by V02 Max, you'd likely be way out.
Instead, the biggest differentiator among elites is biomechanical efficiency. That too is a complex trait with numerous different genes, including bone length and density; tendon attachment points, tendon stiffness; muscle composition (fast and slow twitch is controlled by a gene for myostatin "MSTN").
There are also genes for metabolic efficiency, such as pparg1-a which helps reduce lacatate accumulation. Beyond that there is also the mitochondrial dna (inherited only through the direct maternal line) and the interactions between the mtDNA and nuclear dna.
You can see from that, just editing one gene is unlikely to create a super-runner, and that's leaving aside that there a generally numerous gene interactions. not all of which we understand.