The arguments in this discussion supporting West African origin athletes having inherent genetic traits for sprint speed have been fallacious for numerous reasons. No genetic proof has been forwarded indicating the specific genes responsible for physiological traits that enable sprinters to run fast. These questions need to be answered if West African theory on sprinters is to true.
1- What are the genes that give the ability to run fast?
2- Are they recessive or dominant?
3- What are the genotype ratio that gives phenotype characteristics of sprinters?
4- Is fast type 11 physiology dominate over slow type 1 physiology- do hydrids arise? What are the characteristics of the hydrids ?
5- What are the specific genes that give muscle elastic properties?
- Studies on genetic variation within differing racial groups would need to use large sample sizes.
Fogelson has not touched on any of these questions and has aloofly avoided them. He hinted towards some athropometric variables within differing racial groups however the studies he cited can be printed out and used as TP because the sample sizes were poor.
What are the physiological traits responsible for speed? The obvious answer would be high % type 11 b fibres. The answer is not that simple. The winner of OG final or WR holder isn’t the athlete with the high % of type 11 b muscle fibres. Complex biomechanical factors come into play. This has a large technical element, which is subject to coaching, and the athlete’s ability to learn new motor patterns.
What makes a successful sprinter? The answer is multifaceted and involves physiology, biomechanical and skill traits. Anthroprometric features are also variables for success. Now researching all the genes behind this, now that would be interesting PHD topic. 