Genetic Regulation of Physical Fitness in Children: A Twin Study of 15 Tests from Eurofit and Fitnessgram Test Batteries
Silventoinen K, Maia J, Sillanpää E, Sund R, Gouveia ÉR, Antunes A, Marques G, Thomis M, Kaprio J, Freitas D · 2024
grade Ctwin-adoptionindependentunreplicated
Sample
198 Portuguese twin pairs (40% monozygotic), ages 6-18
Population
Portuguese child/adolescent twins, ages 6-18; 15 field tests of fitness and motor coordination
Design
Single Portuguese cohort, modest sample (198 pairs), wide age band pooled 6-18. Classical ACE/AE twin modeling of directly measured field tests rather than self-report.
Key findings
Across 15 Eurofit/Fitnessgram tests, genes explained 52% (standing long jump) to 79% (sit and reach) of variance; 12-min run 75%, handgrip 71%, 10x5 m shuttle 65%, flamingo balance 60%. AE model fit best: no detectable shared-environment effect, so family, school, and coaching do not explain youth fitness or coordination differences.
Genetic confound
Classical twin design, equal-environments assumption. Same-age co-twins typically share school and coaching, which makes the absent C estimate notable.
Effects
| Outcome | Metric | Value | Measure | Timing | Vs | Horizon | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical fitness and motor performance across 15 tests | h2 range | 52% (standing long jump) to 79% (sit and reach) | standardized | ages 6-18, single assessment | none | not-applicable | health |
| Cardiorespiratory endurance (12-min run/walk) | h2 | 75% | standardized | ages 6-18 | none | not-applicable | health |
| Handgrip strength; 10x5 m shuttle run (agility); flamingo balance | h2 | 71%; 65%; 60% | standardized | ages 6-18 | none | not-applicable | health |
| Shared environmental variance (C) in youth fitness | C variance | not significant; AE model without sex-specific genetic factors fit best | standardized | ages 6-18 | none | not-applicable | health |
Cited by
- Talent and trainability — what is heritable, and what that does not licensestrong supportconf: highgc: low