In some cases, seriously. In others, it’s a joke. What is certain is that knees are often the “culprits” for sports careers that have never happened. But, after all, they are not the only culprit. A genetic variant has just been discovered, inherited from Neanderthals, which limits sports performance.
Os knees have their backs and hot earsso many times that are mentioned as the “culprits” for sports careers that have never happened. When they are not the injuries, they are vices…
But, after all, There is another culprit.
A study last week at Nature Communications revealed that the athletes with neanderthal genes can be prevented from reaching their peak.
The investigation, which involved the analysis of over 2700 individuals revealed that a neanderthal variant in an enzyme involved in energy production was associated with a 50% lower probability of achieving athletic elite performance. In the background, the people of the Neanderthal gene had half the likelihood of becoming athletes of the top of what they did not have this variant.
The mutation in question Influence negatively the activity of a fundamental enzyme for the Energy production in skeletal muscle.
AMPD1 enzyme is compromised
Although Neanderthal variant is not related to any severe health problem, its impact on body capacity to produce energy during intense exercise can lead to a reduction in resistance and strength performance.
As explained during exercise, cells gain energy by decomposing a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP)often described as the “Batteries” of our body.
One way for our body to create ATP, especially during intense exercise, is to transform two molecules of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) into an ATP molecule and one of adenosine monophosphate (AMP).
The ATP produced by this reaction is used to feed energy processes in our cells, while the byproduct amp is removed by an enzyme called AMPD1. Researchers have found that this enzyme is Committed to people with the Neanderthal gene variant.
This is the reason why people with Neanderthal gene may have difficulties with more extreme exercises, because the disabled enzyme will allow the amp to accumulate in the muscles, making ATP production difficult as cells need.
However, it is only during resistance sports or exercises that require muscle strength that carriers may be in slight disadvantage.
I.e, Unlike knee injuries (which are really limiting) It is unlikely that the Neanderthal gene variant affects the daily activities of most people, where energy is obtained by other means.
