Nature or Nurture in Human Athleticism
In the past, athleticism in humans was the difference between life or death. However, in modern times our athletic ability is less about survival and more about performing well in sports. There is a debate about whether athletic ability is from our genes or from training. This is one part of the nature nurture debate. While both our genes and training is responsible for our athletic ability, our genes are more important to deciding our athletic ability.
Genes can determine many aspects of our athletic ability. According to the New York Times, “there are many genes that determines your baseline ability and your improvement speed” (Aschwanden). Using sprinting as an example, the article says that some
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It suggests that genes will make it much more difficult for some people to achieve the same performance as other people. Sprinting speed is dependent on fast twitch muscles. The ratio of fast twitch muscles to slow twitch muscles is one component of how professional sprinters are so fast. Sprinters need to “have at least 70 to 80 percent fast twitch muscle fibres” in order to be successful, compared to the global average of 50 percent. (Kelland). The percentage of fast twitch muscles are completely dependent on the genes, and although one can train to increase the amount of muscle, the percentage will still stay the same. Additionally, scientists have found a gene called ACTN3 that can give “extra power to fast twitch muscles” (Kelland). There are variants of the ACTN3 gene that can influence running speed and endurance. However, despite scientists finding such a gene, they also state that “ACTN3 doesn’t tell you whether or not …show more content…
As stated in the second paragraph, our genes determine both our baseline athletic ability and also our rate of improvement. According to the New York Times, “After months of identical training, some exercisers make almost no fitness gains, while others increase their aerobic capacities by 50 percent or more” (Aschwanden). Some people may argue that although our baseline abilities may be different, training will help us all improve our athleticism. However, although this is the case, there is much more to be considered. Although training will improve one’s athletic abilities, we cannot control the speed at which we improve compared to others, the amount of effort needed to achieve the same results as well as the ceiling in which we can no longer improve. Because our bodies all react differently to training, the people that respond slower to training will need to train more in order to reach the same results. Along with training, our bodies also have different rates of metabolism, so some people may also need to work harder to control their diets. There are many factors in athleticism that are out of our control and our athletic ability relies more on our genes than on
Willie Mays once said “In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept constructive criticism. Without one-hundred percent dedication, you won't be able to do this” In order to succeed it’s required to put everything on the line to survive in the world of sports. Without devoting to sports there is no correct path to success. Nobody will be on the level of competition. Dedication also comes into play where people will need to be better in other areas. Technique is another must have to be involved with sports. If its not possible to do something right then try over and over until it is. Speed is needed to be able to get place to place or to shoot a swift shot. Working out lower body will help with strength which comes back to dedication. Therefore, everything comes back to each other and helps be better, faster, harder, and stronger.
We see that in the reading “Mundanity of Excellence,” by Daniel F Chambliss, the focus is on nature of excellence as it pertains to Olympic swimming. Mr. Chambliss supplies the reader with his experience and sociological approach to his theory that “talent is useless.” I will now provide you with a brief commentary on how sociology relates to developing human talent. It is perceived that one’s natural goal is to accomplish perfection in a “talent” or gift. This ranges from numerous types of talents whether it is sports, entertainment, acting, or even a technical skill. In a sociologist way of thinking we realize that excellence is not only achieved by quantitative or qualitative improvements, it encompasses several factors. I want to
When you train hard enough you can master or finesse a skill, therefore several people don't require training. Specific people are born with genetic enhancements that assist them with the skill and grants them an upper hand. David Epstein believes that genetics assist with the activity and does all of the work(Epstein,7). Malcom Gladwell believes that training pays off, moreover that if you train hard for plenty of hours you could surpass a prodigy(Gladwell,11). In Gladwell's writing Outliers, he talks about facts on how if you train for 10k hours you can master a skill. In Epstein's writing Sports Gene it revolves around a boy that was born with a genetic enhancement that doesn't train nevertheless is almost a pro without any training at
Sandel explores the immoral nature of genetic enhancements through their potential use in athletics, creating “Bionic Athletes.” The world admires athletes for their expression of great skill in their resp...
The improvement in fitness, as a result of threshold training, that a 100m sprinter would experience would improve their performance in a race.
Aim: The aim of this assessment is to investigate and compare the speed and velocity of StAC’s students against Olympic runner Usain Bolt.
Throughout my life, my work ethic, my mental strength, and the skills I have learned, are largely because of my athletic background and all of the things I have gone through with them. To be good at sports, one does not have to
Nature (genetics) would be eye-hand coordination, fast nerve and muscle reaction time, high energy level, and the ability to go for a long time without tiring. The nature of a person normally has to do with their hair and eye color, skin color, race/ethnicity and so on. At
For example, a basketball player would be able to jump higher, a boxer would be able to punch harder, etc. (Wellness.com).
Ntanasis-Stathopoulos, J, Tzanninis, JG, Philippou, A, Koutsilieris, M. Epigenetic Regulation on Gene Expression Induced by Physical Exercise. Musculoskeletal Neuronal Interaction, 2013 Jun.
In today's competitive environment, bigger is better. Bigger toys, bigger tools and bigger bodies. Strength and endurance can have great benefits both on and off the athletic field. Athletes have used basic techniques to build muscle and strength for decades and you can see the same results by following a similar exercise regime. It's important to set goals and track your results in order to stay motivated to reach your ultimate desire.
Another key thing to remember is the countless hours that are sacrificed by the games coaches, trainer, and player to maintain the unparalleled physical fitness that will win games. Blood, sweet, and tiers have been given night end and night during practice and in game to achieve the goal of the game, which is winning. Basketball is an area that tricky when it comes to train and a person making to be successful because size play a huge role “If your father was a computer programmer, you are more than a 1.12 times more likely to become a computer programmer. For playing basketball, the factor is at least 62. Clearly, genetics matter, from height to quickness to vertical jump.
Skill, Ability and Technique in Fitness Both skill and technique are learnt and developed, whereas ability is innate. Because skill and technique are learnt, they are dependent on practice to be able to progress. As ability is innate, you are born with specific abilities, which will help you to develop skills and techniques. For example, if you are of average height, have good coordination and have an abundance of fast-twitch fibres in your legs then you have the ability to become a sprinter.
Maximal strength refers to the highest force that the neuromuscular system can perform during one maximum voluntary contraction (1RM). Power is the product of strength and speed. Maximal strength influences power performance; an increase in maximal strength is usually connected with an improvement in relative strength and therefore with an improvement in power. A significant relationship has been observed between 1RM and acceleration and movement velocity. This maximal strength/power performance relationship is supported by jump test results as well as in 30m sprint results. By increasing the available force of muscular contraction in appropriate muscle groups, acceleration and speed may improve in skills critical to Gaelic football such as turning, sprinting and changing pace. High levels of maximal strength in upper and lower limbs may also prevent injuries. (Stolen et al.
What is Biomechanics? It is the study of forces and their effects on the living system (McGinnis, 2013). In this essay, I will be looking at the biomechanics of running. Running, as well as any other sport requires skills for which advancement is due to consistent deliberate practice and effective development. However, runners should establish a training system that actively builds their original running pattern instead of basing it on what works well for others. Understanding the biomechanics of running gives a better knowledge of their running techniques and points out areas of concerns that require improvement. Despite the fact that running is dependent on the interaction of the whole body, breaking down the running pace into single components allows us to further understand how minor changes can increase improve performance and decrease injury risk.