Can Genetic Testing Boost Fitness?
During the journey of becoming healthy and fit, most of us hit a plateau and our body stops responding to exercise and diets. It is during this time that weight loss or strength gain becomes a challenge. But have you ever thought about what could be the reason for this setback? We generally blame the diet or the exercise regime for not giving us the fruits of our labour, but in reality, this blame game is just a by-product of not having access to the real culprit!
Fortunately, with the advancement in technology, we are able to clearly look into the human body at a microscopic level and alter the troubling parameters to favour our needs. Genetic testing or DNA testing is one such technology, which is gaining huge momentum across the globe, considering its possibilities and the wide array of information it provides about the specific genetic profile of an individual.
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing is not a new concept. However, integrating genetic testing into the physical activity domain is relatively new and revolutionary in nature. Genetic testing is mostly carried out by sampling and testing the saliva of an individual, whereby a large amount of data that is highly specific in nature is derived, enabling one to rule out all forms of trial and error during the planning stages of a physical activity and meal planning.
Food sensitivity, muscle fibre type composition, suitable recovery and regeneration protocols, absorption potential of certain nutrients like omega 3 etc. are some of the parameters that genetic testing brings to light.
How Helpful Is Genetic Testing?
Certain individuals can tolerate carbohydrates very well, whereas certain individuals favour ketogenic diets. Individuals with endurance-type muscle fibre respond to higher repetitions in an exercise, than lesser repetitions. Hence, access to information of similar nature helps an individual to tweak their lifestyle and customize exercise routines to harmonize it with their genetic predisposition.
The results of the tests also provide complete clarity about the types of food an individual is sensitive to and also the recommended dosage of minerals and vitamins suitable for one’s body type. Most importantly, it reveals the kind of physical activity best suited for an individual. So, integrating this additional layer of data surely enhances the output of an exercise regimen.