Nature versus Nurture: Even in Fitness?

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

21 Jun 2008 06:54 PM

Feel free to breathe a sigh of relief, your success or failure in exercise and how your body responds to it may rest squarely on the shoulders of your parents. The argument of nature versus nurture is hardly a new one. Psychologists have been arguing about it for years. What dictates who we are going to be? Our natures, in other words, our genetic heritage? Or do we benefit from how we take care of ourselves, how often we exercise and benefiting from the nurture we give to ourselves?

The Argument for Nature

Some people are naturally gifted. They workout and demonstrate tremendous results right off the bat. They are naturally physical people with good hand eye coordination, natural speed and more. Their body composition, flexibility and strength are top of the line. They won the genetic lottery and have the predisposition for success. A study at the American College of Sports Medicine backed up that theory. The research took place through December of 2005 and reviewed all the previous research on the subject. The studies indicated that there are significant genetic differences in people's inclination to be physically active.

So what does that mean for the rest of us? It means those with the genetic predisposition are going to get different results from those who aren't?

The Nurture Argument

So if we're not genetically predisposed to being fit, should we just give up? Absolutely not, because we know that regular exercise and a healthy diet are beneficial whether you are predisposed to being a size 3 and perfect at figure skating or not. Genetic predisposition or not, taking good care of yourself can return good results. Daily exercise improves stress, sleep, physical fitness and even mental acuity. I'd rather be a size 10 and healthy whether I have the genetic predisposition or not.

You?

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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