The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance by David Epstein. He is currently an investigative reporter at ProPublica. Previously David was a senior writer at Sports Illustrated.
I recently read Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World and found David providing a many good insights.
The Sports Gene is exploring factors that certainly influence performance of top athletes. David in fact, begins this book by telling a story of a professional female softball team challenging a MLB baseball team to a softball game. As a pitcher approaches the mound, the story indicates the entire softball team already knows no MLB player will be able to hit her pitches. And they are correct. While it certainly impressive, David indicates that training and subconscious cues (visual acuity) is the true reason.
The opening chapters furthermore provide a counter view to Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers: The Story of Success. David’s position is that Malcolm has simplified “the 10,000 hour “rule” against athletes who hold gifts to excel in sports via genetics.
Furthermore, David does convey throughout the book that each athlete can only excel in the sport that best matches their genetic makeup. Perhaps the stories that coaches are able to detect when to guide an athlete into a specific sport where their natural talent will ensure success.
Fish out of water
In fact, the story of Alisa Camplin is proof that while an athlete can initially look like a fish out of water, coaches can recognize talent and genetics. In fact, Alisa was viewed as “a giraffe on roller skates” but won a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Another important theme in the book is the dichotomy between nature and nurture. However, David also reveals that the right genes is basically essential to be a top athlete. However there is no magic pill or treatment available to improve those genes.
Re-defining athletic potential
In conclusion, David’s insights provide much interest in helping athletes achieve success. This is a very good book to help athletes realize their potential, perhaps in a sport not of their choosing.