Hormonal
Genetic variation in the IL15RA gene (specifically the PstI polymorphism in exon 7) is strongly associated with greater muscle hypertrophy (lean mass gain) in response to resistance exercise training, although it is associated with reduced muscle quality gains.
Your genetics influence how much muscle you gain from resistance training, specifically through the IL-15 receptor pathway. While you cannot change your DNA, understanding that genetic variation explains some of the 'non-responder' phenomenon can help manage expectations. Focus on consistent resistance training (3x/week, 75-80% 1RM) as the primary driver of change, knowing that genetic factors will modulate the final outcome.
A single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 7 of IL15RA was strongly associated with muscle hypertrophy and accounted for 7.1% of the variation in regression modeling... These results suggest that IL-15 is an important mediator of muscle mass response to resistance exercise training in humans and that genetic variation in IL15RA accounts for a significant proportion of the variability in this response.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with genetic stratification, though the effect size is modest (7.1% variance).
Source
Association of interleukin-15 protein and interleukin-15 receptor genetic variation with resistance exercise training responses
Steven E. Riechman et al. · Journal of Applied Physiology · 2004
DOI 10.1152/japplphysiol.00491.2004
More from this paper
- While IL15RA genetic variation (PstI polymorphism) is associated with greater muscle hypertrophy, it is also associated with reduced muscle quality (strength relative to muscle size) gains.Good
- Plasma IL-15 protein levels increase acutely after resistance exercise but do not change chronically with training and are not associated with variability in muscle responses.Good
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