True or False, speed is genetic. (such as running speed,sprinting)?

Question

I just need to know your opinion because, i want to get faster but i need to know if my genetics are holding me back

Answer 1

Yes and no.

Genetics, or our understanding of them, are the base to any performance area.

Every now and again a curve ball gets tossed into the mix and joe schmoe or sally smilee becomes the fastest unicycle rider of the year.

Go for your dreams, make them happen.

Have fun doing it, and share the joy with others.

Answer 2

They could be partially holding you back, but by no means is will it determine whether you'll be good or not. You can have the most athletic genes in the world, but if you sit around eating burgers then you'll be c**p. Equally, maybe you're not as naturally athletic, but that just means you ahve to work harder, not that it's impossible.

I often look at my friends and get jealous of how easy it is for them to be so fit with minimal effort but hey that's life doesn't mean to say I can't be just as good, and if you do have to work really hard to get something it's more satisfying

Answer 3

well.. I'm just taking a stab at it

but i don't think its entirely true of false

i think that if you come from a background of family members who have been amazing runners, then there is probably stuff in the genes that just lets running and speed come easier and more naturally to you - it could also partially be the body type (which is genetic) - some people are just built more athletic or skinnier or are built with a "runners body" which is obviously an advantage

however.... just because your parents and family members don't run doesnt' mean you cant be good - in some cases it just might mean you have to try harder - run that extra mile, do those extra sprints, etc. etc. because if you try, are dedicated, and you want it... if you put your mind to it then you will improve

my famliy isn't runners at all, and i run track and x-country - and i am always doing the workouts and running extra and doing all i can to get better and i am a freshmen and the best 1600 and 2nd best 3200 runner at my school and one of the top 12 freshmen 1600 runners in my state... it takes hard HARD work

don't let your "genetics" hold you back - it means you just have to push harder.. use it as a goal to prove your family wrong, make it a goal to work harder and to push yourself harder

good luck!!! hope that was motivational !

Answer 4

no. height is genetic...but some people say its genetic becuz if a father is a runner. his son will probably be a runner 2

Answer 5

Well there is probably some genetic dispostion towards running fast or not but really its mostly how hard you are willing to work and push yourself, especially in distance, thats why I love it.

Answer 6

Probably not holding you back, but they could be helping you. You can be predisposed to long/muscled legs, which would make you a better runner.

Answer mine ??? http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 7

I wouldnt say its genetic. But speed comes from how fast and how well your leg muscles contract. Some people are just born to be fast, because of how their muscle structure is when your young and how it develops as you get older. You can always polish it off by lifting, because lifting will give you a bigger muscle mass and will help you strengthen your legs to contract better. I've been the fastest kid in my school from kindergarten to my junior year in high school. When i was in middle school, i could beat most of the high school sprinters in track. I dont have the biggest legs, but they arent very small either. My leg muscles just contract very well. Hope this gives you a good idea and example.

Answer 8

Both, True in some cases False in others a lot of it depends on the work ethic of either the father or son (mother or daughter) Talent is passed down sometimes, but the willingness to perfect that talent is not always used.

Answer 9

Not true at all in my case. My dad is now athletic in his late 40s, but in his teens, he was very unathletic. Now, I am one of the best runners in the school at my age.

Answer 10

false you can train

Answer 11

I think genetics effect your running to a point. I don't think genetics will have any baring on your running until your running technique is near perfect. When I was in 10th grade I got stuck in the 100 hurdles in the mid 15s than I started really working on my technique and I dropped to a 15 flat and I have been there for a few years now and I have worked with some really top notch coaches and it is to the point now that they have trouble finding anything wrong with my race strategies or my form. They have all also told me that there is nothing else to teach me it is down to how good my genes are and I know they aren't great because no one in my family is athletic at all. So my final say is that once everything is nearly perfect it comes down to how good your genes are.

Answer 12

umm well some people are born with natural talent... with natural talent, they dont need to train as hard as a person with no natural talent.

Answer 13

genetics cant hold u back keep working on it

Answer 14

I don't know for sure, but if so, i have no idea what my genes are waiting for. Basically, all the males on my father's side of the family and some of the females are runners. I'm not terrible, but i'm nowhere near the fastest