“It is not the strongest species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that adapts best to change. "This was cited by Charles Darwin, the man behind the theory of Darwinism and natural selection. Natural selection is when an organism can adapt to the environment by changing the genotype or genetic construct of their offspring By doing so, it increases the chances of their species surviving for generations to come Natural selection is “the preservation of a functional advantage that allows a species to compete better in the wild” (the theory of. Darwin's Evolution. com). The species will slowly and slightly undergo variations, not suddenly adapting and becoming more endowed, but gradually mutating in beneficial ways certain characteristics and the physical health of the species over time. time. Darwin believed that more superficial species evolved into complex species over time, and that small variations transformed the species into an entirely different creature. Darwin's theory of genetic variation is reflected in sport. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Genetics play a big role in a person's success in their chosen sport. In many sports, including swimming, gymnastics, basketball, rugby and sumo, genetic variation plays a role in reaching the pinnacle of sport. For example, in a sport like swimming where a millisecond can determine 1st or 2nd, the athlete's arm span will affect the strength of the movement leading the athlete to victory or defeat. Michael Phelps is now a retired swimming legend, known for his seven world records, 23 Olympic gold medals and being the most decorated Olympian of all time. With an imposing height of 193 cm and an arm span of over 2 meters, Phelps has a great genetic advantage over his competitors. Its long arm span, which exceeds its height by more than 3 inches, allows it to pull its body through the resistance of the water with optimal speed and propulsion. Its lower body is shorter than expected, resulting in less resistance in the water. Its massive palms and 14-foot size act as paddles and flippers for conveniently pulling and kicking. All the genetic advantages Michael Phelps enjoyed help him become one of the greatest athletes of all time. Although genetics play a role in sports, without exercise and training, no matter how genetically capable the athlete is, they will not reach the high level. standards that a professional athlete would have. Exercising frequently whether in the gym or in a specific sports environment improves the cardiorespiratory system, ligaments, tendons, bones, as well as the muscular system. Top athletes, don't win Olympic medals after a day of training, it takes years of hard work and dedication to the sport to become the best. For example, Vanessa Ferrari, an Italian Olympic gymnast who placed fourth at the 2012 London Olympics, has a genetically petite figure of 146 cm. Its small size and light weight allow it to turn and tumble at high speed, consolidating all of its rotations into a single jump. The average gymnast is very short and thin. Vanessa got her petite figure thanks to genetics; However, to have the power to lift her body and tumble, she needs a lot of muscle strength. Through long-term training, the athlete developed hypertrophy.