The Kalenjin people of Kenya seem to be the home of the best runners in the world, lets find out why!
20 out of the first 25 male runners in the Boston marathon were Kenyan
CULTURAL FACTORS
GENETIC
Kenyan runners are more prone to have more type II muscle fibers which contract more quickly, thus they have thinner legs with faster contracting muscles
ANGIOTENSIN II Will Cause:
- Blood vessels will constrict -> blood pressure will increase
- Cardiovascular control center in the medulla oblongata is stimulated and increased cardiovascular response
- Adrenal cortex is stimulated and begins making more aldosterone
ADRA2A:
- creates responses of heart rate and blood pressure
- regulates neurotransmitter release from sympathetic nerves and from adrenergic neurons in the central nervous system
Haptoglobin and ACTN2 and ACTN3 also are contributing genes that might factor in to how the Kalenjin people have genetic advantages in long distance running
Credits:
Created with images by Stevebidmead - "runners male sport" • GoToVan - "2013 Vancouver Sun Run"