Is there a genetically determined limit to athletic performance?
Former Member
In his autobiographical book The Naturalist, E. O. Wilson suggests that there is a genetically determined limit to an individual's athletic performance which cannot be overcome regardless of the amount of training. Using himself as an example, he describes how he became a serious runner several years after graduating college. The gap between his times and those of the top runners in his age group (expressed as a percentage) remained what it was in college.
I looked at my current times (three years after joining USMS) and found that I am 12% behind in the 1000 and 15% behind in the 500. These percentages are exactly the same as they were in 1978, the last year I swam in college. I know there are exceptions within the ranks of USMS, but I wonder how valid this "rule" really is.
Parents
Former Member
I think there are some genetic limits to athletic performance, but the vast majority of us will never come close to those limits. Genes may determine your potential, but if you practice regularly, work hard, and improve your technique, you will probably be able to improve a lot from where you are right now. For top national/international athletes, their potential may be the factor limiting their improvements, but for the average swimmer, it's our level of commitment.
I think there are some genetic limits to athletic performance, but the vast majority of us will never come close to those limits. Genes may determine your potential, but if you practice regularly, work hard, and improve your technique, you will probably be able to improve a lot from where you are right now. For top national/international athletes, their potential may be the factor limiting their improvements, but for the average swimmer, it's our level of commitment.
