Can Coffee Improve Your Workout?

Recently, a study conducted by the University of Toronto in Canada looked into drinking coffee and its effects on an athletes performance. Coffee is the main source of caffeine for millions of peoples diet and can cause a variety of effects depending on the individual. Some people may be shaky and awake after consumption while others, report no change in awareness, shakes or jitters.  Researchers found that the gene that metabolizes caffeine is the CYP1A2 gene and depending if you have one or two copies of this gene, determines how fast your body can break down this drug. The study looked at 100 healthy young male athletes and required each individual to pedal a stationary bicycle for 10km as quickly as possible. It was shown that those with two copies of the CYP1A2 gene, considered fast metabolizers, had increased performance after consuming large amounts of caffeine while those with one copy of the CYP1A2, moderate metabolizers, showed almost no change in performance. However, those who are considered slow metabolizers of caffeine, who have no copies of CYP1A2, showed the biggest increase in physical performance during this study. This study may show a link to caffeine and performance but researchers stated in the article that there is no way that this study can conclude that caffeine does in fact increase an athletes performance.

Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/21/well/move/can-coffee-rev-up-your-workout-it-may-depend-on-your-genes.html
Original Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29509641

Gene able to predict Athletic Performance in Children

On November 29, 2008, an article was released by the New York Times in regards to genetically testing the athletic potential of children. This genetic test is supposedly able to determine which sports suit the talents of children. Atlas Sports Genetics is offering this test for a whopping $149, in which the process includes swabbing inside the child’s cheek and along the gums to collect DNA and then submitting that culture to a lab for analysis of ACTN3, one of more than 20,000 genes in the human genome. The purpose of the test is to find out whether a person would be best at speed and power sports such as football, or endurance sports like distance running.

The executives at Atlas recognize the limitations of their test, but they believe it could provide guidelines for placing children, from infancy to about 8 years old, in sports. It is believed its best to conduct the test during this age period because it would be most ideal to condition children from a young age. However, some are skeptical of how necessary and accurate this test really is. It has been known that athletic performance has been found to be affected by at least 200 genes.

A 2003 study discovered the link between ACTN3 and the athletic performance of elite athletes was published in 2003 by researchers primarily based in Australia. Researchers looked at the gene’s combinations, of which one copy was provided by each parent. The R variant of ACTN3 induces the body to produce alpha-actinin-3, a protein found specifically in fast-twitch muscles. There are two types of fast-twich muscles, which are glycolytic and oxidative. Both of which are capable of the forceful, quick contractions necessary in speed and power sports. The X variant prevents production of the protein.

The ACTN3 research study examined 429 elite white athletes, including 50 Olympians, and found that 50 percent of the 107 sprint athletes had two copies of the R variant. What’s more, no female elite sprinter had two copies of the X variant and all male Olympians in power sports had at least one copy of the R variant. Close to 25 percent of the elite endurance athletes had two copies of the X variant, which was only slightly higher than the control group at 18 percent. As a result, it can be inferred that people with two X copies are more likely to be suited for endurance sports. However, there are always those athletes that prove science, and their genetics, wrong. There was a study done on an Olympic long jumper from Spain, who presented no copies of the R variant, indicating that athletic success may be affected by a combination of genes and factors such as environment, training, nutrition and luck.

And so, there is the argument that the test may not be the best approach and is perhaps unnecessary. Some researchers feel that children should be allowed to pick what sport they want to play rather than be pre-picked for a certain sport. Personally, I agree with this school of thought because this is just one study on one of many genes correlated with athletic capability. So it’s still very early to put these studies into effect.

Primary Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/sports/30genetics.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Secondary Article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/89

Genetics testing for athletes.

By taking a simple at genetics test, you can determine any health risks with working out and maximize your potential. The test costs about $200 dollars but can essentially save your life. The test will enable you to understand how to maximize your strength, power, and endurance. The test will also tell you  how long you need to rest after a concussion and the chances of cardiac risk factors and other potential hazards. Companies are trying to reach out to parents with children in sports. If they have their child tested they can prevent or be aware of any potential problems. There has been a known history of children and teenagers dropping dead in the middle of playing sports. This genetics test is hoping to prevent that from happening. The testing is done by a company called AI Bio Tech.



I believe it is important to be informed about how much exercise your body can handle. This allows us to gain the knowledge to work out and be healthy but also safely at the same time.