The Battle of the Sexes

From the moment any runner is born, typically their parents have already picked out gender-specific clothes, toys, and rooms for the young tot. These often serve as indicators to others as to whether the androginous, nearly-bald baby is male or female, because any confusion between the two could be interpreted as insulting to the mother and father, who are usually quite conscious of their baby's appearance at all times. What is my point? I received two X chromosomes, simultaneously rendering me female...and physically at a disadvantage to male runners whose potentially lightning-fast times I can only wistfully aspire to come close to achieving.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for feminism and proud to be female (Are you with me, ladies?!). But I'm starting to wonder if it is, in a sense, a running curse. Yes, I can get very fast and aim to set PR after PR. Yet, males at the same fitness as I can simply run at a faster pace. To you boys, indeed, I find myself a tad jealous of your capabilities, all the while trying to accept my standings amongst females to whom I am more comparable.

But my fellow gals, do not despair! There is a reason for this annoying, yet very scientific, disparity. One of the more obvious is that women have a higher percentage of body fat than men, and are sometimes shorter as well (thus taking shorter strides). Testosterone, the prominent sex hormone of males, increases both the production of hemoglobin (a protein that carries oxygen) and red blood cell concentration in the blood. Conversely, estrogen, the female sex hormone, does no such thing. Therefore, each liter of a female's blood contains about 130-140 grams of hemoglobin, dwarfed by the significantly higher 150-160 grams/liter of hemoglobin in the blood of a male. In essence, if you have an X and Y chromosome, your blood will produce roughly 11% more oxygen than that of us females.

Of course, being male does not guarantee you speed, strength, and endurance. These depend on a myriad of other factors, such as diet, training, and genetic endowment, to name a few.

Essentially, comparing the race times of boys and girls is like comparing apples to oranges. Although it is not an exact science, I found a rough conversion calculator when looking at varying times of the two genders in track and field performances. If you're curious, I encourage you to compare some of you PR's with what the approximate equivalent would be of the other gender.

In conclusion, as a female, it kind of sucks to have been given the shorter end of the stick. If only biology had put both genders on a more even plane. But it didn't, so it is something one must come to terms with. As I mentioned earlier, however, that label of "male" does not necessarily guarantee one will be a great runner. So, in the words of Shania Twain, "Man! I feel like a woman!" Although I may be stuck behind with the view of you boys' butts on the track, I still take pride in myself and my running. Maybe, just maybe, you'll be seeing my rear end in the near future.

What Does Your Deoxyribonucleic Acid Say About You?

Whether you're a sprinter or a long-distance runner, researchers from the Australian Institute of Sport, the University of Sydney, and the Australian National University now claim they can determine if you're likely to be successful - or unsuccessful - in your sport. Genetic labs like Atlas Sports Genetics in Boulder, Colorado now offer such testing, aimed primarily at children 8 years old and younger, for the price of $149.

The genetic variation they search for is that of the ACTN3 gene, otherwise known as the "speed gene." This gene is thought to determine an individual's natural predisposition for endurance, speed, or a combination of both sports. ACTN3 causes the production of a protein, alpha-actinin-3, that regulates a greater function of fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are very engaged in speed and power sports.

Atlas Sports Genetics even claims, "In fact, one study found that every Olympic sprint athlete tested had at least one copy of the normal R577 version of the ACTN3 gene (Therefore produced the muscle alpha-actin-3 protein)."

There also haven't been any findings that suggest the absence of this protein adversely affects health, despite its possible athletic implications.

However, despite the many correlations between certain genetic traits associated with athletic ability among elites, the exception of a two-time-Olympian Spanish long jumper, who lacks the ACTN3 gene, attests to the reality that genes cannot entirely promote or deter athletic success.

Unfortunately, although genes cannot pigeon-hole a child into certain sports, parents and guardians can. Those who order the ACTN3 test are sent a kit in which they swab the inside of their child's cheek and send the sample back to the lab. An article in the New York Times reports, "The analysis takes two to three weeks, and the results arrive in the form of a certificate announcing Your Genetic Advantage, whether it is in sprint, power and strength sports; endurance sports; or activity sports (for those with one copy of each variant, and perhaps a combination of strengths). A packet of educational information suggests sports that are most appropriate and what paths to follow so the child reaches his or her potential."

Beyond indicating whether one's muscles are more suited for speed or endurance, I see nothing special that this test offers. If anything, it might prevent little Johnny from pursuing his passion for football because he lacks the R577X variant in both copies of his DNA, making his muscles more suited for endurance rather than speed/power sports. Parents might interpret test results in a rigid manner and push a child into the sports that, although their tot's DNA indicates they have potential in, the child may have no desire to compete.

I think Dr. Carl Foster, quoted in the New York Times, said it best. To determine if a child will be good at sprint and power sports, “Just line them up with their classmates for a race and see which ones are the fastest."

Would I pay $149, after I have discovered my passion for long-distance running, to potentially find out that my genes do not share the same love for my sport of choice? Certainly not. I don't care what my genes say I am predisposed to, because I'd like to think my mind and hard work can overpower the presence, or lack thereof, of this little protein. I will reach the highest fitness I possibly can, even if I will never become an elite marathoner. Like the Spanish Olympian, I believe I can surpass any genetic obstacles and make my own success.