World rhythmic and rhythmic gymnasticslike figure skating, has always been surrounded disputes because of the harshness with which coaches treat athletes. The same thing happens with male gymnasts, but especially with their partners. This topic has returned to the spotlight today after the death Bela Karolyi, symbolic coach Nadia Comaneci, Known for his unethical practices. But there is something he hasn’t achieved that other coaches are starting to take notice of: genetic selection.
This has been talked about a lot in recent decades. In 2000, Karolyi himself gave an interview to the media about this. ESPN. Coach Nadia Comaneci admitted that he is old-fashioned and therefore does not like this method of selecting gymnasts. At that time the idea was nothing more than this. However, he suggested that this could become quite common in the future, especially in countries such as China.
In 2000, there was almost no research on this issue. It was intuitively clear that the stars of artistic and rhythmic gymnastics genetic advantages compared to the rest of the population. But it has not been analyzed in depth. One of the first comprehensive studies on this topic was conducted in 2014 in University of Milan. Since then, as coach Nadia Comaneci has already felt, many artistic gymnastics federations consider genetic analysis as a criterion for selecting athletes. kind of GATTACA in the service of gymnastics.
Genetic benefits of artistic gymnastics
In a study carried out at the University of Milan, DNA samples were taken from 42 high-level gymnasts. and 42 girls who did not practice this exercise. The goal was to analyze certain polymorphisms to see if a pattern existed in female gymnastics athletes.
Polymorphisms are different variations of the same genetic sequence. Each may provide slightly different qualities. For example, different ADRB2 and FTO gene polymorphisms related to body weight ACTN3 and ACE to explosive power and COL5A1 to joint mobility.
When analyzing the gymnasts’ DNA, it was clear that they really had genetic profile quite stable compared to girls who were not gymnasts. For example, in the case of the ADRB2 and FTO genes, polymorphisms associated with lower body mass index and less fat. It is common knowledge that gymnasts need very little weight to perform exercises. This often leads to mental health problems, especially eating disorders. Although there are times when they do not need an extreme diet as genetics predisposes them to very thin
In the case of the COL5A1 gene, they also found polymorphisms associated with greater joint mobility. Some of them are especially prone to knee recurvatuma deformity of the knee joint that causes it to extend more than normal and bend backward.
This may all seem very beneficial, but these joint-related polymorphisms also predisposed gymnasts to more injuries. It is clear that, as Bela Karolyi showed, artistic gymnastics is hard. Sometimes gymnasts even have to cross dangerous boundaries to achieve fame.
this is also a man’s business
In 2023, a group of Japanese scientists conducted a similar study, but with men. It was clear that in his case also polymorphisms making them more suitable for artistic gymnastics. Especially those related to estrogen synthesis. Let’s remember that despite their role in the development of female sexual characteristics, they are also hormones found in men, and apparently their increased presence can make them better gymnasts.
The decision that Bela Karolyi and Nadia Comaneci did not make
Some federations such as Italian Federation of Artistic Gymnastics They are beginning to rely on these studies to raise the need to analyze the genetic profile of boys and girls who take up the sport. TO 8-10 yearsWhen coaches begin to evaluate your aptitude for professional gymnastics, it may be interesting to take this factor into account. At least that’s what they say.
However, at least in said federation, they do not advertise this as a way to leave out those who do not have the opportunity genetic profile adequately, but as a mechanism to provide more personalized training based on your strengths and weaknesses.
It doesn’t seem normal at the moment, but it wouldn’t be strange if it eventually became something common. Of course, if we are going to look for ways to genetically select gymnasts, we shouldn’t try to exclude some athletes because they assumed that genetic advantages. Yes, I mean the case of Imane Khelif.
At the end of the day, what matters more than genes is what you do in competition. Nadia Comaneci did not go down in history because of her genes, although they were most likely privileged. He did it because of his great performance. This is something we must always stay with.
Source: Hiper Textual
