How Are Sports Stars Using DNA Tests To Improve Performance?
Top-level athletes will try just about anything to gain a competitive advantage over their competitors. Athletes try treatments of all kinds, whether that be a diet or medication. In fact, some athletes will travel the world far and wide to search for a method that’ll give them an edge. The latest tool being used to help improve athletic performance is DNA testing.
You may be surprised to learn that genetics play a significant role in how we play sports. Our natural athleticism, health, stamina, body type, and so on are determined in our DNA upon conception. Through a careful analysis of DNA, it’s possible to gain more specific information into the very cells and traits that comprise an athlete.
This information might just mean the difference between losing or winning a medal.
DNA Testing
The majority of people approach DNA testing as a way to learn more about their ancestry and heritage. Many people use home testing kits as a way to connect with living relatives and gain more information for building a comprehensive family tree. However, did you know that DNA testing can provide individuals with crucial health information?
Health insights from DNA tests can be utilized in a variety of ways. For example, it can help you determine what foods to eat or what the right workout plan is for your body. Some professional athletes have turned to DNA testing to learn more about their endurance and susceptibility to injury. Additionally, some have even used their genetic history to help build a training program.
Genetic analysis of athletes will likely focus on specific gene variants. This might include how the athlete’s muscles respond to different workouts, and how your genes may predispose you to a talent for one sport over another.
Genetic testing for health and sports reasons isn’t solely for athletes. Any individual who wants to improve their overall performance in the gym or simply learn more about how their body functions can benefit from a gene analysis. This information can help you make proactive decisions in your wellness plan and help tailor your sport and lifestyle habits.
Enhancing The Game
How exactly can DNA test results be used to influence an athlete’s training or decisions? Take the example of a well-known British runner, Jenny Meadows. Jenny was among one of the first athletes to confirm her usage of gene analysis as part of her overall athletic strategy.
In 2012, Jenny Meadows sadly suffered an injury to her Achilles heel, which in turn crushed her hopes of competing in the 2012 Olympic games. Devastated by the circumstances, Jenny later turned to genetic testing to help understand more specifically how her body functions. Moreover, she used it to seek information that could assist her in building a more suitable training plan.
Jenny discovered that she has a predisposition written in her genes that made her vulnerable to the injury she sustained in her heel. Had she been armed with this information before the Olympics, Jenny could have drastically altered her training routine.
Additionally, she confirmed that her genes position her perfectly as someone with speed and the ability to sprint well. Moving forward, Jenny can be empowered by her DNA insights and build training plans tailored to her unique physical abilities and requirements.
