“Genes decide your fitness levels”, says a research study.

A latest research study done at University of Portsmouth confirms that endurance athletes with a specific type of gene suffer less fatigue. This study may also explain the reasons for Unexplained Underperformance Syndrome (UPS). UPS is a phenomenon where very fit athletes perform poorly for certain period of time for no apparent reason.

This study was conducted on 80 athletes who participated in the 2006 Merida TransWales Mountain Bike Race. In this Race mountain bikers covered more than 500km over rugged and hilly terrain in seven days. Blood was also taken from 85 people who are diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

When your body is under stress, it releases Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a messenger molecule. The IL-6 molecule and its soluble receptor send the message to brain. After receiving the message the brain sends out commands to the body to slow down to conserve energy and rest.

Previous studies already confirmed increase in IL-6 levels in athletes during prolonged exercise. They also have found that, during infection, people with a C-type variation of the gene produced less IL-6 than those with the G-type of the gene.

In this study, it is found that the IL-6 receptor levels in the mountain bikers increased over the seven-day mountain bike event as they became more tired. But IL-6 levels did not change. It suggested that it is not the increase in IL-6 but the increase in the IL-6 receptor levels that makes one tired.

Earlier studies also revealed that if you block the IL-6 signaling by giving an antibody, the sensation of fatigue caused by very high levels of IL-6 instantaneously disappears.

Still, a lot of research has to go on to find out the role of biochemicals in deciding the fitness and fatigue levels.

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