Sports

Is there such a thing as natural athleticism? What is more important when it comes to sports performance—practice or innate ability? Different sports place different demands on the human body. Sprinters need to be fast. Soccer players need to be coordinated. Most people’s mental model of a female gymnast would be of someone small in stature, while our mental model of a basketball player is likely tall. We can train our bodies to be the best they can be at a sport, but no amount of training can override natural athleticism. Keep reading to learn about natural athleticism and where

What role does genetics play in sports performance? Are there specific “sports genes” that confer an advantage in sports? Our anatomy and physiology are functions of our genes. While we may know that traits are encoded for in our DNA, finding the exact genes that produce these characteristics remains elusive. However, science has made great strides in finding specific genes that impact sports performance. Keep reading to learn about sports genetics and how genes determine people’s sports performance via response to training.

Is there such a thing as a “sports gene”? What are some examples of genes that contribute to athletic ability? There’s no single gene that can account for an athlete’s success. According to David Epstein, the author of The Sports Gene, at our current level of understanding, investigating the effects of a single gene can tell us more about why someone is not an elite athlete than about why they are. While there’s no single sports gene, science has unraveled several genes that contribute to athletic ability. Let’s look at a few examples.

What is the best body type for gymnastics? Why is being small an advantage? In a sport where athletes are often airborne and rotating, the laws of physics make being small in stature an advantage. Gymnasts also tend to have narrow hips, which is why gymnasts tend to be much younger than other Olympic athletes. Keep reading to learn about the science behind the gymnastics body type.

Why are sports divided by gender? How is sex defined in sports? Sports divide men’s and women’s events into two distinct categories for good reason, yet on the level of the individual athlete, the distinction between the sexes is not so easy to define. In sports, the biological distinction between male and female is not black and white. Let’s explore the issue of gender in sports to help shed light on the matter.

What’s the best body type for swimming? Why do elite swimmers tend to have the same physical characteristics? Although swimmers with varying body types have found success in the sport, most swimmers who compete at the international level have the same body type. They tend to be tall, have long torsos, and have rather short legs. Keep reading to learn about the science behind the swimming body type.

What body type is the best suited for running? Does body type have a significant effect on running ability? There’s no single runner body type. Different leg lengths, leg proportions, and height have such an impact on performance that runners’ measurements often differ by event. Let’s look at a few examples.