Scientists may have identified a gene connected to muscle endurance, which could lead to answers about why some have an easier time building muscles and getting ripped than others.
Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that mice who did not possess the gene, called IL-15R-alpha, had greater endurance than those who did. Scientists also discovered that many endurance athletes do not have this gene, suggesting they might have a predisposition to being successful in endurance sports.
According to senior author Tejvir S. Khurana, M.D., Ph.D., the discovery of this gene could me beneficial on may different levels.
"We have shown that mice lacking the gene run six times longer than control mice and that the fatigable muscles of the mouse - the fast muscle in the front of the leg - have been reprogrammed and are now fatigue-resistant," said Khurana in a statement. "This has wide ramifications for various aspects of muscle biology ranging from athletics to treating muscle and metabolic diseases."
The authors suggest that this gene can one day be manipulated to increase athletic performance.This could lead to a new generation of endurance athletes, or more problems for those against doping in sports if athletes use this information to enhance their abilities.
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