The Speed Gene
Scientists have identified a gene called ACTN3 that influences athletic performance. It is popularly referred to as the "speed gene."
The ACTN3 gene encodes a structural protein, alpha-actinin 3. This protein is associated with muscle fibers. It is common for people to have non-working versions of this gene which causes a non-functioning, shortened form of the alpha-actinin 3 protein to be produced. Lacking this protein does not appear to have any harmful effects, however, scientists have found that the highest level athletes, such as Olympic sprinters almost always have at least one working copy of this gene. However, there is one documented case of an Olympic athlete with two non working copies of this gene [1]
Eurasians are the most likely to have non working versions of this gene and Africans are the most likely to have the non-mutant, working version of the gene. [2]
- http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/bjsm.2006.034199v1
- http://hmg.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/10/13/1335
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