Scientists have uncovered a genetic variant, inherited from Neanderthals, that may limit athletic performance.
The mutation is thought to affect roughly 8% of modern-day Europeans and influences the activity of a key enzyme in the production of energy in skeletal muscle.
In a study published July 10 in the journal Nature Communications, researchers analyzed more than 2,700 individuals, which revealed that those who carried the Neanderthal gene variant were half as likely to become top athletes as those without the variant.
The variant was found in up to 8% of present-day Europeans, 3% of Native Americans and 2% of South Asians, while it was absent in Africans, East Asians and African-Americans.
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While the Neanderthal variant is not linked with any major health issues, its impact on the body’s ability to produce energy during intense exercise could lead to reduced athletic performance in endurance and power sports, the researchers say.
