The Genetics Of Great Runners Explained | Extra Mile
6/11/202628 min
Are athletes born or built? This episode dives into the nature vs. nurture debate, exploring why the Human Genome Project proved there's no single gene for speed or disease, and why 99.1% of our DNA is identical.
We break down how genes like ACTN3 can give elite athletes a head start in muscle repair and VO2 max, but never guarantee greatness. Through epigenetics, we reveal how your lifestyle and environment are the real switches, using Spencer's own journey from alcohol abuse to elite marathon runner as proof.
The bottom line: for the average person, consistency beats genetics every time. Your DNA only becomes the deciding factor at the very top. Who you choose to be matters more than what you were born with.
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpencer Matthews· Host0:00
[electronic music] Hello, and welcome to the Extra Mile with me, Spencer Matthews And me, Oli Patrick Today's topic of discussion, genes versus environment. And I'm, I know you love it when I pronounce the N in that way.
Oli Patrick· Host0:13
[laughs] You're the only person who pronounces the N of environment.
Spencer Matthews· Host0:16
[laughs] I don't think I do usually. I'm sure- I think it's a special ... you, you bring out, you bring out special, a special side of me. Are you born a good runner? Are people naturally athletically gifted, or can your body be built and molded to it?
Oli Patrick· Host0:32
One of the great questions of our time. Some people might call this nature versus nurture. So that was the way we framed genetics versus environment in this sort of original discussion. The answer is, is broadly not entirely known. There is no singular gene that is gonna make you an unbelievable athlete. You know, and that, that's a really important piece. The general theme seems to be that those who are extreme elite athletes, particularly in endurance sport, have some genetic advantages. They have things that they were built with that meant they had a better adaptability to training. They had a better injury resistance. They had a better ability to lay down new blood vessels. And so they had the capacity to be a greater athlete.
Spencer Matthews· Host1:15
But is that ... So their genetics or, or their environment? So for example, that, that just took me straight to Nepali climbers.
Oli Patrick· Host1:26
Yep.
Spencer Matthews· Host1:27
Right?
Oli Patrick· Host1:27
Yeah.
Spencer Matthews· Host1:27
They, they're born, you know, with