How do genetic factors influence athletic performance?

Genetic factors play a crucial role in athletic performance by influencing various physiological characteristics that determine an athlete's capabilities. Specifically, genetics can affect muscle fiber composition, meaning some individuals may have a higher proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are advantageous for sprinting and power-based sports. Conversely, others may have more slow-twitch fibers, which are beneficial for endurance activities.

Additionally, genetics can impact metabolic pathways, influencing how efficiently the body utilizes fuel sources like carbohydrates and fats during physical activity. This can determine an athlete’s endurance, recovery rate, and overall performance level in their chosen sport. Thus, the correct answer highlights the significant relationship between genetics and crucial factors that contribute to athletic success, like muscle function and energy production.

The other options, while they may touch on relevant aspects of athletic involvement or performance, do not capture the direct effect of genetics on an athlete's physiological traits as clearly as option B does. For instance, genetic factors do not rigidly dictate the sports an athlete can choose to participate in nor do they uniformly dictate the age at which peak performance is reached, as these are influenced by a combination of training, lifestyle, and psychological factors as well.