You started to train and lead a healthy lifestyle but the expected progress is invisible. And at the same time, you pay attention to the technique of exercises and eat healthily. What is the problem? Could the result be insufficient due to your genetics?
Our genetic information is organized into chromosomes. A person has 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent. They are as a book with multiple information about our bodies. Genetics determines the parameters of our bodies.
Each of us has something special. Muscle growth is affected by the type of transversus stripe muscle, fat distribution, hormone levels, and the quality and duration of our workouts. We cannot change the types of striated muscle tissue, hormone levels, or fat distribution. However, we can learn more about them and use the new information to improve our workouts.
Body types
Ancient Greece scientists speculated that there are some types of the human physique. In the 19th century, Friedrich Nietzsche also explored this idea. However, the American psychologist William Sheldon specified this factor. He identified three somatotypes of the human physique:
- Ectomorph;
- Mesomorph;
- Endomorph.
1. Ectomorph is thin and has long limbs. Its fast metabolism can very quickly turn carbohydrates into energy. This, of course, leads to the fact that ectomorph has the problem of increasing muscle mass. He does not have type II muscles (rapidly oxidizing) that are sufficiently developed. However, this does not mean that he cannot improve and increase strength. Can an ectomorph gain muscle mass? This is not impossible. However, to increase body weight, he must eat much more than other types of physique. Even after a successful weight gain, their calves and forearms may look thin.
2. Mesomorph does not look thin, not magnificent. He has broad shoulders, a narrow waist. This is a physique that, according to its characteristics, is between an ectomorph and an endomorph. His physique is muscular, even without a daily visit to the gym. However, this does not mean that the mesomorph does not need to train and that he can eat whatever he wants. This type of physique can indeed return to shape faster. It is easier for him to gain weight, as well as lose excess fat.
3. Endomorph. Short legs, wide hips, and chest are typical for this body type. The largest of somatotypes. They quickly gain weight, with a lot of fat. Their body stores energy in the muscles and fats in the lower body. Like previous somatotypes, an endomorph can be athletic. He can succeed in gaining strength more easily. However, if he does not keep himself fit, his athletic path will be very difficult.
Four main factors influence the distribution of fat in our body:
Genes
According to a 2017 study, almost 50% of the distribution of fat in our body depends on genetics.
Gender
Women gain fat in other parts of the body (thighs and buttocks) than men (belly). Also, the female body contains from 14 to 31% fat and the male from 6 to 24%.
Age
Slow metabolism and loss of muscle mass lead to the fact that older people have more fat in the body.
Hormones
Hormone levels and weight are interconnected, especially after 40 years. This is due to the natural loss of estrogen and testosterone.
