When I first read this article from a South African newspaper website, I didn't know quite what to make of it. I was hoping that it might generate some discussion by some well-known sportswriters/columnists/bloggers, but in the past few weeks since it appeared, I haven't seen any reference to it anywhere else, so I guess I'm on my own.
The basic question is pretty simple--is there a specific gene that determines athleticism? Professor Noakes in Cape Town thinks so, although his scientific evidence is far from conclusive. I know that Vic Braden, the legendary tennis coach, is steadfast in his conviction that serve-and-volley players are born, not made. But the story presents both sides--long known as nature and nurture--as evidenced in these two passages:
Other than maybe that last sentence above, there isn't much about the mental aspects of sports excellence. What separates a Tom Brady from a Jeff George? What is the real difference between Marat Safin and Roger Federer? Is it talent? Or do they all have the requisite "sports gene?" If it turns out that's what they have in common, there will be a lot more research necessary to explain their different levels of success.
The basic question is pretty simple--is there a specific gene that determines athleticism? Professor Noakes in Cape Town thinks so, although his scientific evidence is far from conclusive. I know that Vic Braden, the legendary tennis coach, is steadfast in his conviction that serve-and-volley players are born, not made. But the story presents both sides--long known as nature and nurture--as evidenced in these two passages:
Professor Noakes believes that unless natural talent is there, no child will excel at top level--no matter how much a parent pushes or how young the child is put into that environment.
"Being a good sportsman is genetic and has to do with talent. All good sportsmen are all-rounders and good at all sports," he said....
Dr Richard Naidoo, head of Molecular Biology at the University of Natal Medical School, said that no documented evidence had proven that sports-oriented genes were passed down. He believes that the environment the child is exposed to will affect the sporting ability. "Look at Tiger Woods. He was on the golf course from the age of four," he said.
But Dr Naidoo said there was a trend appearing. "Most of the top long distance runners come from Nigeria and most of the world's top swimmers are white Americans," he said.
"I believe it is exposure and natural flair. It is the acquiring of something you desire," said Dr Naidoo.
Other than maybe that last sentence above, there isn't much about the mental aspects of sports excellence. What separates a Tom Brady from a Jeff George? What is the real difference between Marat Safin and Roger Federer? Is it talent? Or do they all have the requisite "sports gene?" If it turns out that's what they have in common, there will be a lot more research necessary to explain their different levels of success.
TAGS: tennis, junior tennis, sports gene
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