Mixed
Genetic variants that increase skeletal muscle expression of the mitochondrial supercomplex assembly factor COX7A2L are causally associated with improved cardiorespiratory fitness, lower body fat, and increased energy expenditure in humans and mice.
Your genetic makeup influences your mitochondrial efficiency and cardiorespiratory fitness. While you cannot change your DNA, recognizing that some individuals have a genetic advantage in fat oxidation and VO2max can help tailor expectations. Focus on consistent aerobic training to maximize your genetic potential, as even small genetic advantages in COX7A2L expression correlate with better fitness outcomes.
Notably, increased COX7A2L expression in the muscle is associated with lower body fat and improved cardiorespiratory fitness in humans. According to specific reconstitution of Cox7a2l expression in C57BL/6J mice leads to higher maximal oxygen consumption, increased lean mass and increased energy expenditure during the active phase.
Why this rating
Strong human genetic association (Mendelian randomization across 3 cohorts) supported by controlled mouse models, though not a direct human intervention trial.
Source
COX7A2L genetic variants determine cardiorespiratory fitness in mice and human
Giorgia Benegiamo et al. · Nature Metabolism · 2022
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