Here’s a study on the heritability of attitudes which also asked the participants to rate themselves on how athletic, strong and attractive they are on a scale of 0 to 6.
The key table is on page 850 (page 6 of the PDF). “Athleticism” has an estimated additive genetic variance of 0,58 which is higher than the additive genetic variance for attractiveness, academic achievement, and any of the attitudes except for “humble” which also has a 0,58. “Strength” has an additive genetic variance of 0,51.
A quick explanation: the numbers are on a scale from 0 to 1; they measure the “percentage of variance attributable to
additive genetic factors�??i.e., genetic ‘main effects’ from the two parents”. The introduction explains more about this stuff.
Does anyone know of any other studies which looked at the heritability of athletic ability? I am definitely not looking to use genetics as an excuse for crappy results or setting crappy goals… I just find this stuff interesting.
too many numbers and variables…bodybuilding isnt about algerbra bro.
obviously genetics are important, if you have the worst genetics possible you will suck at lifting, if you have the best youll be good. if you have decent ones like most people, with an advantage here and a disadvantage there youll just have to work hard.
I’ve generally heard they’re more important to HOW big you CAN get. Other than that, I would think strength is generally relative between parents and child.
I purely see such information as a way to place limitations on yourself. A lack of determination is probably much more important that genetic limitations.
[quote]Joe D. wrote:
Honestly, I have no interest in such factors.
I purely see such information as a way to place limitations on yourself. A lack of determination is probably much more important that genetic limitations.[/quote]
Agreed. My brothers have “better genetics” than I do. They’re both naturally larger with better frames, yet my hard work and determination is paying greater dividends and has for the past few years.
I would think like the NBA would be good example of ‘good genetics’ 7ft monsters with amazing speed and verticals. Doesn’t matter if some average guy trains his whole life he will not be as good as those guys. Or in weightlifting good genetics would be like lamar grant in deadlift, how many people are build like him though?
So yeah great genetics will make a pretty big difference, yet the amount of people with amazing genetics is very rare just like 7ft monsters. Most people are average or slightly above or below, very rarely do you have the extremely good genetics or bad genetics. In that case you really should not worry about your genetics.
