Variations in One Gene May be Associated with Endurance Running

[Andrew A.]

http://www.newswise.com/articles/study-finds-variations-in-one-gene-may-be-associated-with-endurance-running

[Ed]

The evidence is pretty compelling - while genetics may help pre-dispose someone to an ability - it would not happen at all wothout hard work.

Before the author of the Jogger Manifesto points to this article as evidence that he is correct - I hope he waits to see if they can measure (if they ever could) the effect that gene has on one's ability.  For example, how much harder did the 20% without the gene variation have to work to be an elite like those with the gene variation?

Did they have to work 1% harder or 15% harder?

[Ryan]

More important, we see some correlation at this point but correlation does not prove causation. The results are interesting to see but they tell us nothing about whether the individuals with the gene variation actually have an advantage when it comes to running.

[Andrew A.]

Not sure that they really have a basis for claiming to work harder, unless by a matrix of measure such as HR, caloric burn rate, et cetera.  Even then, I honestly doubt, given accounts I have seen of actual training done (as I spelled out in terms of hours per week, per month, per year, per decade), that they come close at all to replicating the amount of work done by much better runners.  What this points to, to me, is that those with the gene variation advantage will get more return for the work they do versus those who lack it.