A study in the American Journal of Human Genetics took a closer look at the genes of elite endurance athletes. 78% of these athletes (cyclists, cross-country skiers, distance swimmers) carried all or all except for one of the genes listed below. The number of genes makes a significant difference in distinguishing which athletes make it to elite, even within the short, middle and long distance categories.

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While being a carrier of most won’t guarantee you a spot in the Tour de France, it might just give you the boost to take your cycling game to the next level!

 

TFAM 12Thr : (Check here if you have: “C” for this gene in 23&Me)

People who have this gene: absorb significantly more oxygen than other athletes, which means they can work harder and longer than others before getting tired.

PPARGC1B 203Pro : (Check here if you have: “C” for this gene in 23&Me)

People who have this gene: have muscles that can maintain a higher intensity level than other athletes before getting tired. Their muscles also recover faster which means they can take less rest time than other athletes.

PPARGC1A Gly482 : (Check here if you have: “C” for this gene in 23&Me)

People who have this gene: have faster metabolisms and muscles that recover faster.

PPP3R1 promoter 5I : (no SNP, minor allele: 5I)

People who have this gene: have larger energy stores in their muscles and more blood pumping to their lungs, which lets them perform for a longer duration before needing to refuel their body with more food. iStock_000030716030_Large

PPARD rs2016520 C : (Check here if you have: “C” for this gene in 23&Me)

People who have this gene: get more energy from the same amount of fat than other athletes. They also use that energy more efficiently.

UCP2 55V al : (Check here if you have: “G” for this gene in 23&Me)

People who have this gene: have a higher metabolism and use energy from food more efficiently than other athletes.

UCP3 rs1800849 T : (Check here if you have: “G” for this gene in 23&Me)

People who have this gene: have a higher metabolism and use energy from food more efficiently than other athletes. They also have larger energy stores which enables them to compete for longer distances on the same amount of food and rest.

VEGFA rs2010963 C : (Check here & here for “C” in 23&Me)

People who have this gene: have muscles that recover faster and are able to work at a higher intensity level for more time than other athletes.