Are Genetics important for Elite runners?

The single most important factor, i.e. the "haves" and the "have nots."

Some people were at the front of the line when they handed out running genetics and many were at the back of the line.

Genetics isn't everything...it's the only thing.

If this wasn't the case then every HS runner could move on to professional running & elite status.

It's as simple as that.....

Natural Talent wrote:

Are they?

More important than anything else.

Are brains important for cogent message board posts?

Natural Talent wrote:

Are they?

No, not really. I think courses like cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and perhaps physical chemistry are waaayyy more important than a basic genetics course.

How can someone even ask this question? Coach HS runners for a year and put them through the same workouts. Some guys will only run 22 minutes, most will run 19 minutes, and a few will run 16 minutes. The best guys move on to college and?again do similar training. Most go D3 and run 15:30 on the track, some go D1 and run 14:30, while the elite end up running 13:40. It’s all genetic.

Let's use dogs as an analogy.

The fastest dogs are usually greyhounds. But most greyhounds won't make it to elite status. Only a small portion will if they are well trained, while others will not run super fast even if trained.

Chihuahuas can't ever be trained to run super fast. They can run fast, but there is no way they can run super fast due to genetics.

Same with people.

Good genetics + lots of hard work = elite

Good genetics + little work = mediocre

Average genetics + lots of hard work = mediocre

Average genetics + little work = below average

Bad genetics + lots of hard work = below average

Bad genetics + little work = can't run

There's another factor... I forget what it's called... conditioning response? That is, the ability to respond to training. But genetics are the #1 factor. Conditioning response (or whatever it is called, someone will probably step in to name it) is also genetic.

I could train four hours a day and conditioning response would only get me to above average for my age as a marathoner, but that would be as far as I could go.

fisky wrote:

Conditioning response (or whatever it is called, someone will probably step in to name it) is also genetic.

Absolutely. If your body does not respond to training (and some people's do not), then no amount of sophisticated physical work will help.

Similarly, the ability to *absorb* work is mostly genetic and congenital. Some runners with seemingly mediocre talent have made themselves international-class athletes through enormous amounts of training; I permanently crippled myself on not much more than 70mpw. Being able to do a large volume without breaking down is another (largely) genetic gift.

That said, no one on this thread or in coaching is suggesting that "picking the right grandparents" is the only determinant of success. As with almost any human trait, running ability is a product of nature *and* nurture.

Don’t other factors play a huge par as well. E.g

Diet (nutrition)

Sleep/recovery

Training

Response to training (previous post) ;-) genetics

Young activity as a child

(Aerobic conditioning)

MIND STRENGTH

SO ARE THE EAST AFRICAN THE BEST DUE TO GENETICS ? That’s the question no one wants to hear the answer to.

+1

Equation man wrote:

Good genetics + lots of hard work = elite

Good genetics + little work = mediocre

Average genetics + lots of hard work = mediocre

Average genetics + little work = below average

Bad genetics + lots of hard work = below average

Bad genetics + little work = can't run

Yep...the "haves" and "the have nots." ?

Genetics are important in Elite everything.

As are many other things to be at the absolute top.

But everyone gets a trophy. ;-) Doggie is absolutely correct on this.

Doggie wrote:

Let's use dogs as an analogy.

The fastest dogs are usually greyhounds. But most greyhounds won't make it to elite status. Only a small portion will if they are well trained, while others will not run super fast even if trained.

Chihuahuas can't ever be trained to run super fast. They can run fast, but there is no way they can run super fast due to genetics.

Same with people.

Good genetics is the name of the game.

If you don't have it...it's a terrible shame.

Those with the good genetics get all the glory

And those with bad genetics...it's just another sad story. ☹

Equation man wrote:

Good genetics + lots of hard work = elite

Good genetics + little work = mediocre

Average genetics + lots of hard work = mediocre

Average genetics + little work = below average

Bad genetics + lots of hard work = below average

Bad genetics + little work = can't run

Your second point should be = sub elite or elite but not top level.

reasonable assessment wrote:

Equation man wrote:

Good genetics + lots of hard work = elite

Good genetics + little work = mediocre

Average genetics + lots of hard work = mediocre

Average genetics + little work = below average

Bad genetics + lots of hard work = below average

Bad genetics + little work = can't run

Your second point should be = sub elite or elite but not top level.

What exactly is sub-elite? I asked a hotshot elite this one time and his response was that a sub-elite was a glorified hobby jogger. ?

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work.

Equation man wrote:

Good genetics + lots of hard work = elite

Good genetics + little work = mediocre

Average genetics + lots of hard work = mediocre

Average genetics + little work = below average

Bad genetics + lots of hard work = below average

Bad genetics + little work = can't run

Love it!