Blaming
Your Poor Progress On Genetics? Why Not Find Out For Sure?
Our review of the Atlas Genetic
Testing Kit...
|
Throughout the
history of resistance training, "bad genetics"
has been the most often-cited excuse for guys who don't
seem to make significant progress.
|
 |
And it's not surprising
really- after all, genes are "set in stone" - you can
always train harder, eat better, get better training partners
or find a better gym to train in, but if you have bad genetics,
you've got a foolproof excuse for your lackluster progress. If
you were unlucky enough to "choose the wrong parents,"
it's easy to substantiate your bad habits and poor work ethic.
After all (as the late-night infomercials love to tell you) it's
not your fault!
Up until recently however,
very few gym-rats could scientifically substantiate their claim
of "bed" genes, because they never had access to genetic
testing. Commercially-available, affordably-priced genetic testing
is now a reality however, thanks to the folks at Atlas Sports
Genetics. For the first time ever, it's simple and practical to
test your genetic code to determine if you're best suited for
strength/power activities, endurance events, or a mix of both.
Here's how it works:
The ACTN3 Gene
Everyone has two copies
of the ACTN3 gene, inheriting one copy from each parent.
The ACTN3 gene instructs
your body to produce a specific muscle protein called alpha-actinin-3.
Researchers have found that some people have the R577X variant
that prevents the ACTN3 gene from making this specific muscle
protein. Having this variant doesn't seem to have any harmful
health effects, but there does seem to be an effect on sports
performance. Scientific studies involving elite level athletes
suggest that the presence of this specific muscle protein contributes
to the muscle's ability to generate forceful contractions at high
velocity. In fact, one study found that every Olympic sprint athlete
tested had at least one copy of the normal R577 version of the
ACTN3 gene (Therefore produced the muscle alpha-actin-3 protein).
The ACTN3 Gene And Sporting Performance
In any one gene there
may be subtle variations. These variations may be more or less
frequent in different populations groups. Scientists have found
a variant (known as R577X) in the ACTN3 gene that alters the way
the body reads the ACTN3 gene instruction.
This gene is one measure
of natural-born athletic ability:
Studies have shown
that athletes having the variant in both copies of the ACTN3 gene
may have a natural predisposition for endurance, such as distance
running, distance swimming and cross-country skiing.
Athletes having the
variant in one copy of their ACTN3 gene may be equally suited
for sports requiring both endurance and sprint / power characteristics
such as basketball, tennis, volleyball and cycling.
Athletes that do not
carry this variant in either copy of the ACTN3 gene may have a
natural predisposition for speed / power sports such as football,
weight lifting and sprint events.
How The Test Works
When I placed my own
order for the Atlas First genetic test, I received a test kit
in the mail within a few days. The test was simple to understand
and conduct- it involved using a cotton cheek swab- very much
like a long "Q-Tip" that you use to gently scrape the
inside of your cheek. Then you simply drop the swabs into a plastic
envelope that gets mailed back to Atlas Sports Genetics.
Two weeks later, I
got my results back: I had the R577X variant in only one copy
of the ACTN3 gene, which means that I'm (at least genetically)
best suited for sports/events requiring both endurance and sprint
/ power characteristics such as basketball, tennis, volleyball
and cycling. These results confirmed my suspicions, by the way-
I've never noticed that I had superior abilities in either endurance
or strength/power events, although I do have reasonably good capabilities
in both of those categories.
Your ATLAS test results
will be presented to you in a detailed Genetic Athletic Talent
Report covering all of the key features specific to predisposed
genetic aptitude for:
How To Best Interpret And Implement Your Atlas Test Results
It's important to note
that while genetic potential for sports type may be indicated
by your test results, success will also be greatly influenced
by training and conditioning. In my mind, your test results can
be very helpful if you approach them in the right way: If you've
always been involved in (for example) endurance sports or activities
with minimal success, and your ATLAS™ Sports Genetics testing
reveals that you're genetically better-suited toward strength/power
activities, it may be worth exploring those options.
If you are enjoying
success at strength/power events and your testing reveals that
you don't have the R577X variant in either copy of the ACTN3 gene
(meaning that you're best suited toward strength/power activities),
this finding can have useful implications toward your training.
Specifically, you'd probably want to avoid a significant number
of high repetition sets, and focus more on low-rep, high-intensity
efforts.
If You've Got Children…
Testing your young
children, before they become heavily involved in sports, may be
the best use of the ATLAS™ Sports Genetics Atlas product.
This allows you to maximize exposure to sports/activities that
your child may have the best potential for. Think of the amount
of anguish and frustration that could be completely avoided through
this simple test!
Don't
Be In The Dark Any Longer! Order Your
ATLAS™ Sports Genetics Test Kit Today!
| *Price: $149.00
+s/h |
 |
| **This Atlas product
is currently not available in California or New York- sorry,
no international orders through this store at this time |
Detailed future athletic
performance testing procedures will also available on our site
soon...
www.staleytraining.com
(or please call for details-800-519-2492)
Training Product Reviews 
