What is fitness?
Fitness brings together strength, endurance, power, flexibility and recovery. It depends on your muscles, heart, lungs, blood vessels and nervous system working in concert. Muscle fibers come in different types: fast-twitch fibers suit quick bursts of power, while slow-twitch fibers suit sustained effort. Your heart and blood vessels deliver oxygen, and your brain coordinates movement and motivation. Every part responds and adapts to training over time.
How your genes play a role
Genes influence many of these traits. ACTN3 is one of the best-known genes in sports science and relates to fast-twitch muscle. ACE and AGT are part of a system that helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance, and are studied in relation to endurance. BDNF supports brain plasticity, and MC4R relates to appetite and energy balance.
Knowing your genetic tendencies can make training feel more personal and more enjoyable. It may help explain why certain activities feel natural to you, or why recovery takes a particular amount of time. Rather than limiting what you can do, it can help you set expectations, choose activities you enjoy, and have more informed conversations with a coach or clinician about your goals.
What your report shows
Your Fitness results are explained in plain language in your private EvoDNA account, alongside the other areas in your kit.
- Power or enduranceWhether your muscle genes lean toward explosive power, steady endurance or a blend.
- Cardiovascular traitsVariants in genes linked to blood pressure regulation and oxygen delivery during exercise.
- Brain and motivationGenes connected to how your brain adapts and responds to physical activity.
- Energy balanceVariants related to appetite and how your body may manage energy around training.
| Gene | What it does | Result |
|---|---|---|
| ACTN3 | Makes a protein found in fast-twitch muscle fibers, which… | Typical |
| ACE | Encodes an enzyme that helps regulate blood pressure and… | Moderate effect |
| BDNF | Produces a growth factor that supports brain cell health… | Typical |
Each result comes with a plain-language explanation and practical points to discuss with your clinician.
Illustration only. Your report reflects your own genetic results.
Genes we analyze
| Gene | Role |
|---|---|
| ACTN3 | Makes a protein found in fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are used in sprinting and powerful movements. |
| ACE | Encodes an enzyme that helps regulate blood pressure and is widely studied in relation to endurance. |
| BDNF | Produces a growth factor that supports brain cell health and is released during exercise. |
| MC4R | Encodes a brain receptor that helps regulate appetite and energy balance. |
| AGT | Makes angiotensinogen, a protein in the system that helps control blood pressure and fluid balance. |
Full panel: 16 genes
BDNF, BRINP3, KL, MAOA, MICB, ACTN3, CLCN7, FGF5, CDKN2A, FABP5, MC4R, NOTCH1, BACE2, CYP4F2, AGT, ACE
Putting results to use
Many people use their results as a starting point for conversations with their clinician about:
Combining strength, endurance and mobility work is commonly recommended for well-rounded fitness.
Rest days and good sleep give muscles time to repair and adapt.
Adequate protein and overall energy intake support training and recovery.
Building intensity step by step helps the body adapt comfortably and safely.
Questions
Will my genes decide what sport I am good at?
No. Genes describe tendencies, but training, technique, motivation and enjoyment matter enormously. Many elite athletes have genetic profiles that might not look typical on paper.
Should I change my training based on my results?
Your results can inspire ideas, but they are best combined with how your body actually responds. A coach or clinician can help you shape a plan that fits your goals.
Why is a brain gene in the fitness area?
Exercise affects the brain as much as the body. BDNF is linked to how the brain adapts to activity, which may influence learning new movements and overall wellbeing.
Only interested in this area? The Fitness Performance Genetic Report is available on its own for $99.00.
