Noah Lyles, a name synonymous with track and field, has positioned himself as one of the greatest sprinters of our time. He has achieved several world championship titles, Olympic gold medals, Diamond League, and many other titles and has showcased his talent on the world stage. However, behind his great victories, we also find a story of perseverance and will that compels us to reconsider the prevailing opinion that genetic greatness is the only factor in sporting success. What does the research say about heritability?

According to the National Library of Medicine, a trait’s heritability is typically regarded as an estimate of how significant hereditary factors are to that attribute. Athletic performance, particularly in track and field, has a significant genetic component. Research from the Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that athletic status has a 66% heritability, meaning roughly two-thirds of an athlete’s success can be influenced by genetic factors. For sprinters, genetic advantages, such as muscle fiber composition and VO₂ max, are crucial. Specifically, fast-twitch muscle fibers, which allow for explosive movements, are predominant in elite sprinters.

Lyles’ ability to generate quick, powerful strides can be partly attributed to his genetic predisposition for fast-twitch fibers, though these characteristics must be developed through rigorous training. About 80% of the variance in height, which is essential for success in several sports, can be attributed to hereditary factors. Having an ectomorphic or mesomorphic somatotype is also a strongly heritable body type. Traditionally, these somatotypes have been linked to either endurance or power athlete status. Why is this a genetic discussion?

Somatotypes, such as ectomorph (lean and tall) and mesomorph (muscular and broad), are genetically influenced body types that affect athletic performance. Ectomorphs tend to have a higher ratio of slow-twitch muscle fibers, suitable for endurance sports, while mesomorphs generally exhibit a greater proportion of fast-twitch fibers, essential for sprinting. Lyles, with his mesomorphic build, benefits from this muscle fiber distribution, which gives him an edge in short-distance sprints like the 200m and 100m. Additionally, his long limbs provide him with an efficient stride length, another key factor in his sprinting ability.

Noah Lyles has put an ‘Ask me anything’ story on his Instagram, and one of his fans asked, “Be honest. To be the best, do you need genetics?” He gets as honest as he can get, and he replies, “Yes, but that only gets you to the line. Everyone at the top has genetic talent, so you have to work to be number 1.”

While Lyles acknowledges the role of genetics, he also highlights the importance of training adaptation. Athletes undergo various physiological changes during training, such as increased capillary density, mitochondrial efficiency, and neuromuscular adaptation. A study in Sports Medicine found that even athletes with suboptimal genetic predispositions can achieve elite status through consistent training, proper nutrition, and psychological resilience. Lyles’ success, despite his health challenges, speaks to the importance of mental fortitude and work ethic in maximizing genetic potential. But genetics is not the only part of the equation; rather, hard work and not giving up are the better choices. Some of you might be aware of the fact that Noah Lyles has many issues that could stop someone from living a normal life, but he has proved himself. What is it?

A few months back, Noah Lyles shared his thoughts on X: “I have asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and depression. But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why Not You!” Noah Lyles is dealing with many issues, yet he has proved his worth in track and field and has become one of the top-most track and field athletes. There are many athletes dealing with the genetic composition, including Usain Bolt.

Genetic compositions of track and field legends

Noah Lyles isn’t the only track and field athlete who’s facing genetic problems; legend Usain Bolt has also dealt with many issues. Bolt has scoliosis, hamstring injuries, and thigh pain. But the question is: do all three conditions come under inherent genetic conditions? The answer is mixed. How, you may ask?

The condition called scoliosis has a direct genetic component, whereas thigh pain and hamstring injuries are the influence of a combination of physical activity, genetics, and training factors. Usain Bolt‘s sprinting accomplishments are preceded by a narrative on lots of genetics in his success story. Bolt’s extreme length of the legs and stride, that is, his fast-twitch muscle fibers, add up, which allows him to rule in sprinting.

In sprinting, both the type and proportion of muscle fibers play a critical role in performance. Research in the Journal of Applied Physiology identifies the ACTN3 gene as a key determinant in sprinting ability. This gene is responsible for producing a protein that supports the structure and function of fast-twitch muscle fibers. Athletes with a specific variant of this gene (the “R” allele) tend to have better sprinting potential. Lyles, like Usain Bolt, may possess this advantageous gene variant, contributing to their world-class speed.

It’s not new that genetic anomaly is being discussed among the fans. A few months ago, fans discussed on Reddit, “Is Usain Bolt just a genetic anomaly?” Legend Usain Bolt was diagnosed with scoliosis during the early stage of his career. When his trainers and medical team noticed a spiral spine, it indicated a curvature in his spine. However, what about Noah Lyles?

Noah Lyles was diagnosed with asthma at a very young age, and due to some diet changes, he faced additional challenges like ADD and dyslexia. Once, the 27-year-old said, “Around second grade, I was diagnosed with ADD and dyslexia, which made standardized testing and even simple tasks like spelling tests extremely difficult.” What are your thoughts about genetic compositions? Tell us in the comment section.