Goalkeepers and Genes?

To be great at any sport takes a whole lot of determination and hard work. Just like goalkeeping, some goalkeepers are just better equipped to play the role than others. This does not mean that if you were not born like Gianluigi Buffon, that you will not be able to advance your goalkeeping skills. A riveting study by the ACSM has uncovered some progressive results in regards to our inclination for fitness and exercise. It seems that goalkeeping may all be in the genes:

The article pointed out the following. "Some people are gifted," said lead researcher Claude Bouchard, Ph.D., FACSM, referring to such characteristics as cardiorespiratory endurance, strength, flexibility, and body composition. Genetics play a big role in such matters, as they do in "trainability" – the capacity to benefit from exercise. "But," said Bouchard, "there’s no correspondence between the genes responsible for your being advantaged, even as a sedentary person and those allowing you to gain from exercise." 

The above shows that even though you may not have the genetic makeup of Peter Schmeichel, you may still enhance your goalkeeping ability through dedicated exercise. Though genetic make-up does play a significant role in how you will develop as a goalkeeper. But at the end of the day who really cares. If you can play for your local team and have a good run, smile and enjoy yourself, that is what counts. Not everyone will have the chance to play in the Premiership or the Primera as a goalkeeper. The main thing for any goalkeeper is to enjoy themselves and get a good workout, which is great for fitness throughout your lifespan.