Studies focused on similarities and differences in athletic performance within families, including between twins, suggest that genetic factors underlie 30 to 80 percent of the differences among individuals in traits related to athletic performance.

Is athleticism inherited?

Athletic ability can be an inherited trait. Both common variants (e.g. mutation in ACTN3) and rare variants (e.g. mutation in EPOR) can influence athletic ability. Many genes often work in combination and other elements (e.g. nutrition or environment) can contribute to athletic ability.

Is athleticism inherited from mom or dad?

A researcher found that as you go up the scale of athletic skill level, the proportion of parents who participated in sports also goes up.