Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
was forgotten after Charles Darwin and recently came back after the currently
genetics findings: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Baptiste_Lamarck
Lamarck's contribution to evolutionary
theory consisted of the
first truly cohesive theory of evolution,[6] in which an alchemical complexifying force drove
organisms up a ladder of complexity, and a second environmental force adapted
them to local environments through use
and disuse of characteristics, differentiating them from other
organisms.[7]
Our genetic makeup
changes according to uses and disuses, otherwise why do we train? The problem of “proofing” the acquired
hereditary changes is another matter; but the changes through genetic induction
are well-known. Please see our post: 5
août 2012 Triathlon and Genetics
Nucleic Acids Research, 2013, 1–8 doi:10.1093/nar/gkt147
The capacity of an organism to respond to its
environment is facilitated by the environmentally induced alteration of gene
and protein expression, i.e. expression plasticity. The reconstruction of gene
regulatory networks based on expression plasticity can gain not only new
insights into the causality of transcriptional and cellular processes but also
the complex regulatory mechanisms that underlie biological function and
adaptation… The approach measures the network of dependencies of genes
expressed in different environments, allowing the environment-induced
plasticity of gene dependencies to be tested in unprecedented details. The
approach is also able to characterize the extent to which the same genes
trigger different amounts of expression in response to environmental changes.
We demonstrated the usefulness of this approach through analysing gene
expression data from a rabbit vein graft study that includes two distinct blood
flow environments. The proposed approach provides a powerful tool for the
modelling and analysis of dynamic regulatory networks using gene expression
data from distinct environments.
Where do we go from here? Please see figure 3 in the
American Scientist volume 93(30). http://seattlecentral.edu/faculty/jwhorley/ExerciseGeneExp.pdf
We can see that the changes in the
muscles by induction of the expression of the genes while exercising. Those changes are specific to the type of
exercises we are doing.
1)
Speed
is specific; if we train slow pace we could be fit but WE REST SLOW when running, cycling or swimming.
2)
Muscles
are specific for the training; depending on the technique we train specific
muscles to adapt to the type of training we do.
TECHNIQUE IS DEFINED BY MUSCLES
INVOLVED. Train the muscles that
support your technique which allow you to move faster.
3)
Lamarck
used the example of the giraffe. The
giraffe’s neck got bigger trying to reach for leaves on top of the trees, but
then the neck cannot get shorter over time (reversed growth), and it is easier
to perish when the giraffe needs to eat from the floor. If one trains for
ironman; it is almost impossible to return to compete and have success in the
Olympic distance: Macca and Natasha Batman, both Ironman Champions, tried and
failed. Bernard Lagat mentioned that he
trained for 1,500 meters when winning the 5,000 meters (and of course the
speed, 52 the last 400 of the 5,000 and 26 the last 200), just because he had
the mileage over the years. Macca used to do reps at 2:30 k on the treadmill when trying to return to Olympic distance triathlons but was unable to go below 32 minutes the 10k in a triathlon.
Let’s think about Lamarck and keep it in mind when
reflecting about training.
