Genetic Testing For Response To Exercise Training

[WR304]

In the Sunday Times Style magazine 30 December 2012 there was an article about some of the latest exercise trends for 2013. Included in that list was genetic testing to predict how your body will react to different exercises and training regimes.

About XRPredict | Xrgenomics

About Metapredict | Metapredict

GENETIC TESTING
You have been diligently attending the gym for years, but are your workouts a complete waste of time? In a recent study, Jamie Timmons, professor of systems biology at Loughborough University, and a team of researchers from Britain and America found that not only are the benefits of aerobic exercise determined by our genes, but that some people are programmed not to respond very well. For up to one fifth of the participants in trials — dubbed the nonresponders - maximum oxygen uptake did not rise at all, despite exercising.
Timmons has developed a genetic test called XRPredict (£199; xrgenomics.co.uk) to determine individual aptitude for fitness that will be widely used by gyms and personal trainers from 2013 onwards, helping people make the decision whether to take up Pilates, weight training or marathon running. "We want to give people better advice that will be driven by hard science, not guesswork," Timmons says.” The Sunday Times 30 December 2012, Style section Page 26

It seems to be very new still but has anyone had any experience with this sort of testing? It sounds like it could potentially be quite useful as a way of tailoring your training for the best results.

[GlazedHam]

After 24 years of racing, I have to wonder if I would get anything out of a genetic test. It's kind of like the corporate health screening I took last year ...they told me that I had a moderate health risk ...which was, of course, my age dang it.

[DLd]

In the Sunday Times Style magazine 30 December 2012 there was an article about some of the latest exercise trends for 2013. Included in that list was genetic testing to predict how your body will react to different exercises and training regimes.

About XRPredict | Xrgenomics

About Metapredict | Metapredict

GENETIC TESTING
You have been diligently attending the gym for years, but are your workouts a complete waste of time? In a recent study, Jamie Timmons, professor of systems biology at Loughborough University, and a team of researchers from Britain and America found that not only are the benefits of aerobic exercise determined by our genes, but that some people are programmed not to respond very well. For up to one fifth of the participants in trials — dubbed the nonresponders - maximum oxygen uptake did not rise at all, despite exercising.
Timmons has developed a genetic test called XRPredict (£199; xrgenomics.co.uk) to determine individual aptitude for fitness that will be widely used by gyms and personal trainers from 2013 onwards, helping people make the decision whether to take up Pilates, weight training or marathon running. "We want to give people better advice that will be driven by hard science, not guesswork," Timmons says.” The Sunday Times 30 December 2012, Style section Page 26

It seems to be very new still but has anyone had any experience with this sort of testing? It sounds like it could potentially be quite useful as a way of tailoring your training for the best results.

So if they tell you you're genetically predisposed to suck at endurance sports are you going to take up bodybuilding instead? That's just my immediate thought, like how is this going to help training. What if it suggests ballet? Second thought is that this is a money grab, pure and simple. It's just another service for gyms to offer with a high mark-up and no benefit. That's my gut feeling.

[sumgai]

Genetics testing is great if you want to study.....genetics. Physiological testing is great if you want to study your body's reaction to physical training and sports performance. Genetics testing is just a marketing term thrown around by snake oil salesmen. It wont tell you how to train, when to train, what to train, where to train, or who to train with. Save your money for carbon fiber wheels...cuz that's really what makes the difference between champions and also rans.

[serious]

While I have no idea if the test is accurate, there is no question that genetics are THE determining factor when it comes to your physical potential. Training only determines how close you get to that potential. I hope athletes are generally clear on that, although I know that many people still belive in the old (and dumb) saying that "if you put your mind to it you can do anything".

[impact23]

You must have not taken genetics?

Genetics testing is great if you want to study.....genetics. Physiological testing is great if you want to study your body's reaction to physical training and sports performance. Genetics testing is just a marketing term thrown around by snake oil salesmen. It wont tell you how to train, when to train, what to train, where to train, or who to train with. Save your money for carbon fiber wheels...cuz that's really what makes the difference between champions and also rans.

[Camaleon]

What if I am old 30+ and I just ride for fun every single chance that I have but when I do have the time I like to be out there riding for 8 hrs.
Will my money be better spend in this or on some of the drugs that Lance used to maximize my performance to fun ratios?

[DLd]

While I have no idea if the test is accurate, there is no question that genetics are THE determining factor when it comes to your physical potential. Training only determines how close you get to that potential. I hope athletes are generally clear on that, although I know that many people still belive in the old (and dumb) saying that "if you put your mind to it you can do anything".

Potential unrealized doesn't matter. THE determining factors when it comes to performance are generally going to be training and nutrition, with genetics in third. I'm sure there are lots of people out there with a greater genetic potential than me, but unless they're training and properly fueling their bodies for performance and recovery they won't come close to me in a race. The thing with this test is (to any degree that is even works, because the link between genetics and performance is massively complex and you can be sure these guys don't have it all figured out) that no matter what it tells you, you can't do anything about it anyway. You can't change your genetics, so how is it going to help your training. At all.

[knoob]

What if I am old 30+ and I just ride for fun every single chance that I have.
Will my money be better spent on this or on some of the drugs that Lance used to maximize my performance to fun ratios?

30's is OLD?

I'm gonna need you to get me of Lance's good stuff........I NEED me some KOM's

[serious]

Potential unrealized doesn't matter. THE determining factors when it comes to performance are generally going to be training and nutrition, with genetics in third..

Try to understand what I said. I said that the determining factor when it comes to potential is genetics. Changing "potential" with "performance" to suit you preferred feel-good explanation is silly.

And unrealized potential is a reflection on less than ideal training, dedication, nutrition and all that good stuff.

[DLd]

Try to understand what I said. I said that the determining factor when it comes to potential is genetics. Changing "potential" with "performance" to suit you preferred feel-good explanation is silly.

And unrealized potential is a reflection on less than ideal training, dedication, nutrition and all that good stuff.

I understood exactly what you said, obviously, or I wouldn't have made the comment about unrealized potential. I then said that what really matters is performance. Geebus, what the hell has happened to reading comprehension in this country... I think using genetics as an excuse is just a feel-good explanation. Regardless, this test is useless for improving your cycling performance.

[Camaleon]

KOM's are overrated and Strava is a game.
If you record your rides with different devices you get different results on the same ride.
Different times, mileage, elevation and even route when zooming in.
So if you want KOM's try your next ride with a different GPS unit.

[AndrwSwitch]

It would be pretty cool if a test taking less time than trying it for a season could predict stuff like whether I'm more predisposed to endurance racing or track racing, and what kind of a mix of low-intensity cycling, high-intensity cycling, pumping iron, etc. would most "faster" me. Especially since with the current level of stability in my life, the signal-to-noise ratio isn't very good - at the moment, my best correlation is that when I have time to train regularly, I'm faster. (Go figure.)

[serious]

I understood exactly what you said, obviously, or I wouldn't have made the comment about unrealized potential. I then said that what really matters is performance. Geebus, what the hell has happened to reading comprehension in this country... I think using genetics as an excuse is just a feel-good explanation. Regardless, this test is useless for improving your cycling performance.

Speaking of reading comprehension (or lack of it ), this test is supposed to determine your pre-disposition to certain training, not to improve your cycling performance. So at least get that part right, because the part about the genetics is clearly above your head.

[Camaleon]

At the moment, my best correlation is that when I have time to train regularly, I'm faster. (Go figure.)

That seems to be a common denominator for most everyone I wonder if it's all part of our genetic make up?
Riders who ride more get faster

[BBW]

In the Sunday Times Style magazine 30 December 2012 there was an article about some of the latest exercise trends for 2013. Included in that list was genetic testing to predict how your body will react to different exercises and training regimes.

About XRPredict | Xrgenomics

About Metapredict | Metapredict

GENETIC TESTING
You have been diligently attending the gym for years, but are your workouts a complete waste of time? In a recent study, Jamie Timmons, professor of systems biology at Loughborough University, and a team of researchers from Britain and America found that not only are the benefits of aerobic exercise determined by our genes, but that some people are programmed not to respond very well. For up to one fifth of the participants in trials — dubbed the nonresponders - maximum oxygen uptake did not rise at all, despite exercising.
Timmons has developed a genetic test called XRPredict (£199; xrgenomics.co.uk) to determine individual aptitude for fitness that will be widely used by gyms and personal trainers from 2013 onwards, helping people make the decision whether to take up Pilates, weight training or marathon running. "We want to give people better advice that will be driven by hard science, not guesswork," Timmons says.” The Sunday Times 30 December 2012, Style section Page 26

It seems to be very new still but has anyone had any experience with this sort of testing? It sounds like it could potentially be quite useful as a way of tailoring your training for the best results.

I don't care if with a crappy VO2 max they tell me I would be GREAT at Pilates LOL; we do what we love and the "heart" and passion can't be measured by that BS LOL
On the other hand it is widely known that VO2 max increase around 30% average while lactate threshold increase is more significant with training. Anyway, other "magic" thing to sale at the gym