All skeletal muscles are influenced by genetics. The extent of this influence varies, but genetic factors play a significant role in muscle development, strength, and susceptibility to diseases.
Genetic Influence on Muscle
Several sources confirm the strong genetic component in skeletal muscle development. Heritability estimates for muscle strength range from 30% to 85%, while those for lean muscle mass are between 50% and 80%. This means a substantial portion of your muscle characteristics is determined by your genes. This genetic influence encompasses various aspects, including:
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Muscle fiber type: Skeletal muscles contain slow-twitch and fast-twitch fibers. The proportion of each type is partly genetically determined, influencing athletic performance and predisposition to certain activities. MedlinePlus explains this, detailing the differences between fiber types.
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Muscle growth potential: Genetic factors influence the potential for muscle growth (hypertrophy) in response to training. Some individuals naturally possess a greater capacity for muscle growth than others.
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Susceptibility to muscle diseases: Many muscle disorders, such as muscular dystrophy, are genetic in origin. These conditions are caused by mutations in genes responsible for healthy muscle function. Multiple sources, including the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Cleveland Clinic, and National Organization for Rare Disorders highlight the genetic basis of muscular dystrophy, a group of over 30 conditions causing muscle weakness and degeneration. The Muscular Dystrophy Association also emphasizes the genetic nature of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Further, research such as this study on complement C3 and this one on rare genetic variants impacting muscle strength demonstrates the continuous discovery of genetic factors that impact muscle health and development.
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Muscle strength and mass: A substantial portion of both muscle strength and mass is inherited. This is supported by numerous research studies, including this one on genetic aspects of skeletal muscle. While training can improve both, individual genetic potential plays a significant role in the achievable levels.
While some muscles might show a more pronounced genetic predisposition (e.g., calf muscle development as suggested by Quora), the overall principle remains: genetics significantly impacts all skeletal muscles. It influences their development, function, and susceptibility to diseases. The NHS also states that Muscular Dystrophy is caused by inheriting faulty genes. NHS
