Endurance / aerobic capacity (PPARGC1A)

PPARGC1A helps muscles build mitochondria, the cell's aerobic powerhouses, in response to exercise. A common variant (Ser482) has been linked to slightly lower endurance trainability in some studies, though the evidence is mixed and training matters far more.

Possible results

Gly/Gly (endurance-favoring). You have two 'Gly' copies of PPARGC1A, the version some studies tie to slightly better endurance trainability. The effect is small and disputed, and consistent training shapes your fitness far more.

Gly/Ser (intermediate). You carry one 'Gly' and one 'Ser' copy of PPARGC1A, an in-between version for this endurance-related gene. Many people are here, and training matters far more than this marker.

Ser/Ser (PPARGC1A). You have two 'Ser' copies of PPARGC1A, which some studies link to slightly lower endurance trainability. The evidence is mixed and the effect small, so treat it as a minor footnote: how you train is what counts.

Evidence & sources

Across global populations, about 11% of people carry two copies of this variant, and about 46% carry none.

Related

Body mass index · Freckling / sun sensitivity · Hair thickness / shovel-shaped incisors · Height · Male-pattern baldness tendency · Red hair / fair skin (MC1R gene) · Skin pigmentation (light vs dark)