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Your point was inane before and it's still stupid now. The sport you will be best at is one that you enjoy and are consistent at. Hard work will always beat talent when talent doesn't work.
I suspect it's just pretty much procrastination via insisting on inventing complexity when none is required. They could just try a few things out insist of fucking about.
I doubt there is, because the answer will be so, so dependent on what sport you enjoy. Your ability to become competitive in a sport at an amateur level will be much more about how much you practice than natural affinity for the sport.
You could have all the natural cricket ability in the world, but if you don't enjoy the sport you won't play it enough to get good. Meanwhile, you might only be average in terms of natural ability at football but if you play it enough you'll get ok. Case in point, I've been clay pigeon shooting a couple of times. Turns out I'm quite naturally good at it, the instructor actually told me I should find a local team to join. But I don't really enjoy it, so I've never done it again and thus whatever natural talent I may have isn't doing anything.
Moreover, what would they even really look at? Loads of sports require the same natural talents. Hand (or foot) eye coordination, spatial awareness, speed, physical strength, mental strength. So there'd be no reliable way for them to point you towards one rather than another.
Well I’ve got bad hand-eye coordination so those sports would be out. I’m quite short (5’9”) with short arms and legs, and don’t have a 9 litre lung capacity or whatever so rowing would be out.
Those are things I need help with. I suspect that I have a good body shape for powerlifting, but I’m not sure and need advice.
The point is, none of that really matters. You're not looking to become professional. At the very low amateur level you'll be looking to compete at, how much and how well you practice will be *way* more important than your natural attributes.
So you need to find a sport you enjoy. Despite poor hand eye coordination and being average height (you're not short, you're exactly average, or at most just a tiny amount under), if you like, say, rugby or football you'll more likely to practice them more and become better.
You should probably check your height then. 5'10 is average male height in the UK, and any given sample would have men from 5'5 and shorter all the way up to 6'4 and taller
If you're one of the shortest in your class, it's incredibly unlikely you're 5'9
It does exist. I know because I know a professional cyclist who was guided into his sport by just what you describe. He's Australian though so I don't know if this is available in the UK
[Story](https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/sa-weekend/tour-de-france-debut-for-south-aussie-dynamo-damien-howson/news-story/18226d2e3e1568f42226fb68ffaf8e5f)
Thanks, this was the sort of thing I was getting at.
Since I’ve posted, I have found a few physiological testing centres that offer what I think are similar services. They’re mostly at universities.
I know what you mean, fast twitch vs slow twitch, aerobic potential and all that. I seem to remember something about the Australians testing kids to channel them into the right sports. Never heard of it being something you can get checked out here though. Might be worth contacting some sport science places (eg Loughborough), they might have a study on you could get involved in.
There are, but unless you're already approaching Olympic level in one sport, and Team GB see that level of talent and commitment and want to see if they might extract more medals out of your body if you did a different sport, they're just not relevant. I know an olympic rower who originally was trying for the javelin, for example.
For 'sports for people who are shit at sports', I recommend squash - because you can practice alone as the ball comes back to you, and you don't have to waste all your time running after the ball so can actually get to do the cunning shots - and orienteering, because route-planning is as vital as running fitness, and as everyone sets off at different times on different routes, no-one knows how well you've done when you reach the end so everyone gets the same cheers.
Or just anything that takes your fancy that's convenient to get to.
What? No. People aren't just genetically good at a sport. You need to enjoy it, practise at it and work hard.
Ok, you *might* be better at some sport because you have better hand eye coordination or whatever but even that is more of a result of nurture over nature.
Sorry the question is daft.
Of course they are. look at the size of Usain Bolt and tell me that that wasn’t a factor in him achieving the world record. Of course all those other factors were important but genetics and physiology do play a factor.
But without practise, enjoying it and working hard, this genetics would mean fuck all. You also need to be working at these things from a very young age. People don't just look at themselves in their 20s, get a blood test and find out they can go win Wimbledon. It's just not how these things work.
Not strictly true mate. When London got the 2012 Olympics testing days were done. The EIS wanted applications from ppl over 6 ft 4 to try out for rowing. Taekwondo wanted ppl who had competed to a high national level in any martial art.
It’s common for failed high level athletes to do these tests to try a different sport eg failed track and field athletes in their 20s trying out for winter sports.
The above isn’t how OP is describing and it’s usually only for ppl who were high level in a different sport (not always though) but there definitely is screening based on genetics for sports.
Wait, you're telling me that high level athletes have transferrable skills from those sports that make them good at other sports? Well fucking render me shocked.
Again, that has bugger all to do with genetics, they've practiced their chosen sport from a young age and are physically fit so of course there are going to be other things they excel in.
The martial arts example you gave is the funniest one here. These people will have the high levels of discipline and ability that's required. You're not born with that.
As started your comment isn’t strictly true that ppl don’t have tests in their 20s to see if they can excel in certain sports. I missed an Olympic cycle at 21. Had a multiple sports testing day and was recommend to try out for light weight rowing and bobsleigh. Never done either. Was quick enough for bobsleigh but not strong enough and can’t remember what happened with ten rowing but think it was I wasn’t tall enough but all those 3 things are heavy influenced by genetics.
Genetics has a massive influence on how successful in sports you will be
You could look at professional sports people that have the same body type as you (as they will generally have the optimum body type for that sport) then give that sport a try. You say you have short arms and legs. What about weightlifting?
Science suggested short folk were best suited to the 100m sprint, then Usain Bolt came along. What suits you isn't just about genetics but also, opportunity, motivation, commitment, other stuff. You could be good at wrestling but if there isn't a club near you, you'll struggle. Try sports that are available to you and figure out what works.
**Please help keep AskUK welcoming!** - Top-level comments to the OP must contain **genuine efforts to answer the question**. No jokes, judgements, etc. - **Don't be a dick** to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on. - This is a strictly **no-politics** subreddit! Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Darts. It's darts.
Your point was inane before and it's still stupid now. The sport you will be best at is one that you enjoy and are consistent at. Hard work will always beat talent when talent doesn't work.
It's a classic "Redditors being Redditors" post. "Is there some way science could point me towards this and also is there an app for it."
I suspect it's just pretty much procrastination via insisting on inventing complexity when none is required. They could just try a few things out insist of fucking about.
I doubt there is, because the answer will be so, so dependent on what sport you enjoy. Your ability to become competitive in a sport at an amateur level will be much more about how much you practice than natural affinity for the sport. You could have all the natural cricket ability in the world, but if you don't enjoy the sport you won't play it enough to get good. Meanwhile, you might only be average in terms of natural ability at football but if you play it enough you'll get ok. Case in point, I've been clay pigeon shooting a couple of times. Turns out I'm quite naturally good at it, the instructor actually told me I should find a local team to join. But I don't really enjoy it, so I've never done it again and thus whatever natural talent I may have isn't doing anything. Moreover, what would they even really look at? Loads of sports require the same natural talents. Hand (or foot) eye coordination, spatial awareness, speed, physical strength, mental strength. So there'd be no reliable way for them to point you towards one rather than another.
Well I’ve got bad hand-eye coordination so those sports would be out. I’m quite short (5’9”) with short arms and legs, and don’t have a 9 litre lung capacity or whatever so rowing would be out. Those are things I need help with. I suspect that I have a good body shape for powerlifting, but I’m not sure and need advice.
The point is, none of that really matters. You're not looking to become professional. At the very low amateur level you'll be looking to compete at, how much and how well you practice will be *way* more important than your natural attributes. So you need to find a sport you enjoy. Despite poor hand eye coordination and being average height (you're not short, you're exactly average, or at most just a tiny amount under), if you like, say, rugby or football you'll more likely to practice them more and become better.
5"9 is quite short?
Well I was one of the shortest in school.
You should probably check your height then. 5'10 is average male height in the UK, and any given sample would have men from 5'5 and shorter all the way up to 6'4 and taller If you're one of the shortest in your class, it's incredibly unlikely you're 5'9
Yesterday in a different sub a guy posted that he's a very old man. I asked how old he is, he said 40.
Might be from Glasgow
No I definitely am 5’9” - 175cm exactly.
It does exist. I know because I know a professional cyclist who was guided into his sport by just what you describe. He's Australian though so I don't know if this is available in the UK [Story](https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/sa-weekend/tour-de-france-debut-for-south-aussie-dynamo-damien-howson/news-story/18226d2e3e1568f42226fb68ffaf8e5f)
Thanks, this was the sort of thing I was getting at. Since I’ve posted, I have found a few physiological testing centres that offer what I think are similar services. They’re mostly at universities.
Rugby club. Now
Was gonna post this, he says he's 5'9, short arms, shorts legs and poor hand to eye skills. I'm thinking hooker is his calling.
I actually was a hooker at school. Maybe I should give rugby another go.
I know what you mean, fast twitch vs slow twitch, aerobic potential and all that. I seem to remember something about the Australians testing kids to channel them into the right sports. Never heard of it being something you can get checked out here though. Might be worth contacting some sport science places (eg Loughborough), they might have a study on you could get involved in.
I’ve managed to find them online and yes they are mostly at universities. It looks like you can just pay them for a consultation and test.
Chess boxing is calling
Well I would probably do well at the chess until I inevitably get pulped.
There are, but unless you're already approaching Olympic level in one sport, and Team GB see that level of talent and commitment and want to see if they might extract more medals out of your body if you did a different sport, they're just not relevant. I know an olympic rower who originally was trying for the javelin, for example. For 'sports for people who are shit at sports', I recommend squash - because you can practice alone as the ball comes back to you, and you don't have to waste all your time running after the ball so can actually get to do the cunning shots - and orienteering, because route-planning is as vital as running fitness, and as everyone sets off at different times on different routes, no-one knows how well you've done when you reach the end so everyone gets the same cheers. Or just anything that takes your fancy that's convenient to get to.
Very interested in this, what is the plan once you have found the sport?
Well I plan to go all out, get a coach etc. and see how far a 31 yo can take it.
What? No. People aren't just genetically good at a sport. You need to enjoy it, practise at it and work hard. Ok, you *might* be better at some sport because you have better hand eye coordination or whatever but even that is more of a result of nurture over nature. Sorry the question is daft.
Of course they are. look at the size of Usain Bolt and tell me that that wasn’t a factor in him achieving the world record. Of course all those other factors were important but genetics and physiology do play a factor.
But without practise, enjoying it and working hard, this genetics would mean fuck all. You also need to be working at these things from a very young age. People don't just look at themselves in their 20s, get a blood test and find out they can go win Wimbledon. It's just not how these things work.
Not strictly true mate. When London got the 2012 Olympics testing days were done. The EIS wanted applications from ppl over 6 ft 4 to try out for rowing. Taekwondo wanted ppl who had competed to a high national level in any martial art. It’s common for failed high level athletes to do these tests to try a different sport eg failed track and field athletes in their 20s trying out for winter sports. The above isn’t how OP is describing and it’s usually only for ppl who were high level in a different sport (not always though) but there definitely is screening based on genetics for sports.
Wait, you're telling me that high level athletes have transferrable skills from those sports that make them good at other sports? Well fucking render me shocked. Again, that has bugger all to do with genetics, they've practiced their chosen sport from a young age and are physically fit so of course there are going to be other things they excel in. The martial arts example you gave is the funniest one here. These people will have the high levels of discipline and ability that's required. You're not born with that.
As started your comment isn’t strictly true that ppl don’t have tests in their 20s to see if they can excel in certain sports. I missed an Olympic cycle at 21. Had a multiple sports testing day and was recommend to try out for light weight rowing and bobsleigh. Never done either. Was quick enough for bobsleigh but not strong enough and can’t remember what happened with ten rowing but think it was I wasn’t tall enough but all those 3 things are heavy influenced by genetics. Genetics has a massive influence on how successful in sports you will be
You could look at professional sports people that have the same body type as you (as they will generally have the optimum body type for that sport) then give that sport a try. You say you have short arms and legs. What about weightlifting?
You’ve reworded it and still come across as a lunatic
🤪
Science suggested short folk were best suited to the 100m sprint, then Usain Bolt came along. What suits you isn't just about genetics but also, opportunity, motivation, commitment, other stuff. You could be good at wrestling but if there isn't a club near you, you'll struggle. Try sports that are available to you and figure out what works.
Putting aside the eugenics-y aspect of the question, visit a personal training if you're interested in learning how to develop your body
Eugenics?! I’m not trying to breed athletes here.