Natural ability?

Question

Hi. I'd like to know, is one's natural born ability a great limiting factor for runners (from sprints to mid/long distance)? I know that naturals can run pretty good times without training, but would a less athletic person be able to run outstanding times as long as they train very hard?

Thanks

Answer 1

Depends. In the Olympics? Genetics are probably important. On a highschool track team? Not as much.

Answer 2

there is some current research that shows that babies are born as 100% fast twitch muscles.  This research has been furthered by looking at identical twins in which one has become a world class sprinter and the other as a world class distance runner.  One can infer that it is nurture that affects more than nature.

Everyone has a genetical high and low that we are born with and then nurture allows us to train towards it.  Let's look at a sprinter.  There is an advantage to being shorter, hence shorter muscles, that generate more power.  Then we have someone that breaks the world record who is 6'5" tall.

I have seen specials on Lance Armstrong and basically he was a genetic marvel because of his bone structure.  He was mechanically advantaged with regard to his femur and how much power he could put into the pedal.  Certain people do have these advantages.  Imagine how much better Michael Johnson could have been if he had been able to run in a more efficient pattern.  Larry Bird could have been a better basketball player.  There are lots of world class athletes that are good despite inefficient form and some not so great athletes that have perfect form.

Bottom line is that I believe world class athletes have a superior tool set.  It is the combination of training and hard work that take these tools and they are thrust into greatness.  Each one of us can become better and if you get a great coach you will hit closer to your genetic maximum.

Think about what would have happened if someone had pushed Michael Johnson or Bolt into long distance running when they were young.  Those fast twitch muscles would have been converted to slow twitch ones.  Studies have shown it is a one way track.  It is difficult or impossible to go from slow twitch to fast twitch.  Long distance training can make fast twitch into slow twitch. Think about that the next time your football/volleyball/etc coach makes you run a mile or two for "endurance" training.  There are much better ways to do it.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

THere was a show about this a while ago.... Some professional runner went to a little out-of-the way village in Ethiopia, and trained the locals.

He was very good at what he did - yet within a few weeks, most of those he was working with were as good as him. Their bodies just seem to work more efficiently in this respect (which is why you get some many African distance runners).

Being a bog-standard white chap didn't stop him from being very good - but their racial characteristics gave them a very definite edge, and allowed them to draw level with his expertise with very little discernable effort.

Answer 4

natural ability helps alot. any guy can run a 5 min with enough training, but for world class runners, even their genetics are important

Answer 5

i can't do sprint but i run fast long distance when i was younger i use to run a mile in 12:00 mins, now that is almost my 2-mile time. i pushed myself when i was younger and now  i am running faster and doing cross country my 2-mile is 13:08 and my one mile is 6:14

Answer 6

Natural ability is essential.

About 30% of men have a training advantage over the rest.  The seem to be able to exercise indefinately. The British Army discovered the genetic profile for such people a few years back.

You need a skeleton in the correct proportions and to be perfectly balanced which is exceptionally rare.

It is not just a matter of genetics, but also childhood development (even in the womb) which is important.  It is easy to damage the body and brain during early development.

Answer 7

Hard training is required in any sport if you want to do good in it.

Sure, natural ability helps if you want to be good at a sport, but nothing can replace pure hard work. Think of the story "The Turtle and the Hare." The hare has the natural ability to run fast, the turtle doesn't. However, the turtle was willing to be strong and never give up against the Hare. And finally when the race came, the Turtle won!

So my answer to you is this:

Ones natural born ability is a factor for runners. HOWEVER, it is not as great as people think it is. A less athletic person would be able to run outstanding times, but only if they are willing to make the commitment to make a goal, stick to it, and work towards it everyday.

Hope it helps!

Answer 8

Everyone is limited by their genetics.  So yes, not everyone can make it to the Olympics or run a world record.  On the other hand, everyone can develop the natural talent they have and probably run faster than they think they can.  Jack Daniels says success  in running takes ability (genetics),  motivation, guidance and opportunity.   The only factor that can't be changed is the genetics.  Everything else is under your control.

Answer 9

OK, Here's the thing. The people with natural ability will beat other people's butt in middle school (no matter how hard the others work). There's no getting around that. Now, comes high school, the hardworking people will take over. The hardworkers will triumph over the lazy people with talent in high school. Most of the time, the fast runners in middle school figure they don't have to do much to win. So they don't. And they win. Then, highschool comes and the real hardworkers will come to that track meet prepared and ready to go while the others will come expececting to win. The thing is, they won't. ;). Pretty sweet huh?