Devon Cricket & Ocean Physio, Josh Bess looks forward to the season ahead

With the summer fast approaching, hopefully it should be a great season on the sports front. Over the last few years I have been representing the Devon in the Minor Counties Cricket competition, and none was wetter than last season! It was pretty much a washout for us, only finishing one of six 3 day games, and one being cancelled without a ball bowled. This was not much fun for anyone except for our neighbours Cornwall who won the title which was ours in 2011.

Once again James Burton (JB) from Ocean Physio & Rehab will be keeping us fit and on the field, and with a strong side we should have a good chance of regaining the title, providing of course, Mother Nature gives us a chance.

Ocean Physio & Rehab have a strong connection with cricket in the South West. Alongside Devon, we also work closely with Exeter University, Millfield School, and sponsor Budleigh Salterton CC who play in the Devon Premier League.
Over the winter we have been working closely with the cricket scholars at Exeter University, carrying out prehabilitation and screening sessions. The screening sessions look how each scholar moves; identifying areas that may lead to injury or that may limit performance. The prehabilitation sessions are spent working on these areas, improving strength and quality of movement with an aim of improving their performance, and keeping them out of our clinic during the season!

We are also based up at Millfield School in Somerset, where our services are available to all pupils. Millfield is one of the finest sporting schools in the country and is renowned for the quality of its cricket academy which has produced numerous current internationals. Since the beginning of the academic year we have been working with the 1st XI twice a week. One session is focused around core stability, incorporating a lot of Pilates type work. This is crucial for young cricketers, who are particularly prone to back injury. The second session is focused on the prehab sessions as we do with the university cricket scholars. We have been screening the players at the beginning and end of each term, and have been seeing huge improvements. No doubt this will contribute to another successful season for the school.

So for all you cricketers out there, if you are worried about injury or anything related don’t hesitate to get in contact with us here at Ocean- we would love to help. Good luck for the season!

Josh Bess
Chartered Physiotherapist, Ocean Physio & Rehab
Devon Cricket player

Building the Team – Dr Graeme Maw, Triathlon New Zeland High Performance Director

Building the Team

 

According to the adage, “there is no I in team”.

According to Mark de Rond and his study of high performing teams in sport and business (“What Elite Athletes and Coaches Really Know About High Performance”), there plainly is an I in team, and if we ignore that we annul the individual. So, knowing that very little is ever achieved in isolation, how do we reconcile this conflict and build the best team?

 

That is the process I am going through right now in taking up the role of High Performance Director with Triathlon New Zealand – an collective with a proud history of success, but also with a need to keep pace with a fast moving competitive world. Since the very first triathlon world championships in 1989, when Erin Baker and Rick Wells won gold and bronze respectively, to Hamish Carter and Bevan Docherty taking gold and silver in the Athens Olympics, Kiwis have frequented the podium; yet with the European dominance of the London Olympics, there is consciously ground to be made up.

 

The first step for me as “team leader” is to ensure I have an authentic passion for the mission I am taking on. This sounds obvious, but the aim of being the best in the world is not a “job” – it is indeed a mission, to be lived and breathed, and most importantly to be believed in. That belief and passion comes through when you read the stories of Branson (“Screw It, Let’s Do It”), Clough (“Walking on Water”), or “Boy Racer” Cavendish. In my case, even as a Pom, it is the power of the silver fern, the legacy of Docherty, Baker, John Walker and Percy Cerutty, and what they call here the No8 Wire spirit of resourceful determination that is compelling!

 

And that leads straight to step two – undoubtedly my crucial next step: “employing” the right people. This is about engaging a groundswell of similarly authentic passionate people. That is definitely not to say that I am seeking disciples, as for me they must challenge and innovate in their own right. Remember the English or French in the 2007 or 2011 Rugby World Cups, coaching apparently in disarray, but both narrowly losing finals? As Director of Sport at Millfield, I had the great pleasure of working with some of the best coaches in their field, who would challenge every day, with ideas from left, right and centre – not from any template, but always striving forward. Successful teams are not necessarily about bonhomie, but about pushing boundaries.

 

So, I find I must understand what it is I’m looking for in the people – and then let this “team” set our vision. Sound the wrong way round? I often cross-check myself about that – because I’m the “leader”, surely I must set agenda? Well, we have a direction, and an impression (maybe a Turner or a Monet), but experience tells me it is important not to ink in the details as “the people” will bring ideas I have never even thought of. Some will ask about the big picture; some about details; and collectively they will transform the impression in to vibrant life.

 

That vibrant life is the vision of step four: It becomes a palpable, compelling culture of success – the “New Zealand Tri Blacks” as the best pro racing team in the triathlon world! We will find quick wins, “low hanging fruit”, whatever you want to call it, and celebrate those successes, as they build in to momentum. As Performance Director of British Triathlon, this was winning world duathlon titles in 2001, starting the ball for triple gold in triathlon a few years later. And he plan must remain flexible, though the goal is unerring.

 

Of course, realising the vision will not happen overnight, with twists, turns and speed bumps; hence the need to ensure personal passion at step one and the criticality of step two. As Jim Collins’ treatises in from “Good to Great”, despite the vision, if you have the wrong people you will still produce mediocre results. So, the next – the roll-out – step either borrows from what (the now Sir) Dave Brailsford calls “compassionate ruthlessness” or embraces “patience and faith”. For the former, again reference Collins and “If you can’t change the people, change the people” Or ask the energy cost of chasing inauthentic “buy in”.

 

Or – to end on a positive – in believing we’ve assembled the right people, give time, support and confidence: E.g. Triathlon world titles will be won in athletes’ mid twenties, yet most of the recent female Junior World Champs have already quit the sport; so, in talent development, in coaching, in performance support, don’t rush for short term results – Rome wasn’t built in a day, Australian Swimming took 11 years to reach No1 with Talbot, England 7 years to win RWC with Woodward, and Man U 5 years for Ferguson’s first trophy. Along the way, enjoy the journey, because the vision is compelling!

 

Thank you ….. Triathlon Sponsorship Update #triathlon

This short message is simply to say a sincere ‘Thank you’.

Back in July 2012, many of you reading this blog did something very special, which has made a big difference to some children that you will probably never meet.

You donated some money to the charity Nuru of Mombasa, by sponsoring me to swim, bike and run my way around the Somerset countryside.

I have received the photos below to show us what your money was spent on, which should make you feel very proud.

The charity used your money to furnish the dining room in the orphanage they support in Kenya. They used local tradesmen and negotiated local prices for the work. They assure me that every penny of the more than £1000 you so kindly donated has been spent on some children who will feel a lasting benefit from your generosity.

The photos below tell the story, and I have received a heartfelt thanks from the founders of the charity for your help.

It’s a lovely feeling to know that these children now have somewhere they can feel proud to eat their meals in.

Many thanks again for your generosity.

Andy

Andy Larmour
BSc (Hons) MCSP MHPC MMACP
Clinical Director
Ocean Physio & Rehab

Less is more

Sometimes less is most definitely more.

Christmas is a great time to reflect and maybe have some thoughts about what you may like to achieve, enjoy, embrace or accomplish in the coming year.

Tiger Woods describes improvements he makes as “baby steps”, others may not notice them, but he knows he’s getting better when he sees them.

I have had the pleasure of spending the last few days with Paul Casey, who knows a thing or two about achieving goals.

In our conversations, Paul was very open and frank. He revealed that he has all sorts of goals, some lofty and some tiny. He didn’t specify what they were and I didn’t ask, but the look in his eye and the confidence in his discussions about them, suggest that he and his team have a clear plan of how to achieve them. One (baby) step at a time.

Andy Larmour
Ocean Physio & Rehab
England Golf Physio
Goal setter and achiever!

Returning to University. Physio Josh Bess reports on starting his MSc in Sports Physio.

Return to University

In September 2012, I returned to University in Cardiff to study for a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy. The course is led by Nicki Phillips (Head Physiotherapist of Team GB) and therefore seemed like a good choice! Hopefully it should stand me in good stead when working with the sports teams at Exeter University and Millfield School.

“Dear fresher…” I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little excited when the first letter came through the post. Minutes passed as fond memories filtered back, and I wondered if I needed a week off work at the start of term to “reintegrate” into university life.

The 11^th of October came and my first assignment was done and dusted a week before the hand in, a bit different from the old days. That’s not to say there weren’t a few late nights and the odd heated discussion between myself and the laptop. Needless to say I never won.

The assignment consisted of picking a topic of interest, and critiquing the literature surrounding it, to come to conclusion on the issue. I initially chose to investigate the effect of Kinesiology tape (the brightly coloured tape you see plastered all over athletes on TV) on muscle performance. However after a few days of hard work it was clear there is little quality research on it! That’s not to say that it doesn’t work; however not having quality papers to critique meant it wasn’t a suitable topic for the assignment…back to the drawing board.

I finally chose to investigate the effects of bracing on the stability of the ankle. It has been suggested that one can become dependant on a brace, leaving the ankle weaker in the long run. This seemed like a worthwhile topic, as many athletes at Millfield and the University use ankle braces for sport and alongside the rehabilitation programmes we put in place on return to sport.

Having searched the literature there was no clear answer. Some papers found bracing did reduce the active stability of ankle, whilst others found they did not. When I critiqued the papers against each other, there were many weaknesses and differences, which ultimately reduced the quality of the studies. I reported that more research was required, as I could not confidently conclude either way on the long term effects of bracing. Nothing world changing but a start!

The idea behind this assignment was to ensure that I have the skills to make a judgement on the quality of research, as it doesn’t always do what it says on the tin. This is in preparation for my own research project next year. I am looking to carry this out on a new piece of equipment that can help Physio’s decide when a player is fit to return to sport following lower limb injury. It involves using pressure sensitive pads to measure reaction times during sporting activities, allowing a comparison between the injured and non injured limbs. At present there is no objective measure. This new product could give Coaches and Physio’s more confidence in putting an athlete back into competition.

In the mean time my next assignment is fast approaching, so I will keep you posted!

Josh Bess BSc (Hons) MCSP MHPC MACPSM

Chartered Physiotherapist, Ocean Physio & Rehab

It’s cold outside, should we warm up before running? Ocean Physio’s Holly King explores.

WARMING UP AND DOWN

 Warm-Up

There is strong evidence for the benefits of warming-up before exercise. Studies have shown that warming-up can improve performance, reduce risk of injury and allow you to exercise for longer.

An appropriate warm-up will raise your body temperature. This raised body temperature stimulates improved energy release within your muscles. As the haemoglobin release oxygen more readily for the muscles in warmer temperatures.  Warmer muscles are also more pliable and less prone to being over stretched or injured.  Through warming-up you will raise your heart rate, and pump more blood and oxygen to your muscles and improve the removal of the metabolic waste products. In addition if you warm-up with specific activities replicating what you are going to do you will improve your neuromuscular pathways and therefore increase your speed and muscle efficiency.

To warm-up you ideally want to include all three stages:

1. Mobilise your joints in order to prepare them for movement. For example, gently roll shoulders, circle pelvis and twist upper body;

2. Progressive aerobic activity, starting from a walk to a jog, increasing your body temperature and heart rate so that you are sweating slightly;

3. Running specific movements, to prime the brain and neuromuscular pathways. Suggested movements are running drills such as heel flicks, high knees and side stepping.

You should spend longer warming-up if it is freezing cold outside or running first thing in the morning when your body temperature is lower. If possible warm-up in additional layers to help raise your body temperature and then ensure you can then remove the clothes before the start your run or race.

Cool Down

A cool down is designed to gently cool your body temperature, gradually reduce your heart rate and allowing your muscles to actively recover and remove the lactate acid. This can take a few minutes, by progressively slowly down to a jog before returning to a walk. You have a window of 20-30 minutes after a run in which your muscles are still warm and pliable to stretch. So if it is freezing cold outside, find a warm place indoors to improve your muscle and joint flexibility. It is recommended that you hold each stretch for 20 to 30 seconds and repeat each stretch two to four times and gradually increase the stretch as comfort and resistance allows. 

Holly King

Chartered Physiotherapist

Ocean Physio & Rehab

St Josephs Rugby Festival Ipswich, October 2012

Millfield School had a fantastic trip to the St Joseph’s Rugby Festival in Ipswich.

This is a National Schools tournament so the standard of rugby is extremely high, but Millfield proved to be a cut above the rest.

Millfield were drawn in group 4, against John Fisher School, Portsmouth Grammar and RGS Newcastle. Millfield were hesitant in the first game against John Fisher but went on to win all three matches scoring over 30 points against Portsmouth and RGS.

Fortunately, Millfield sustained no major injuries so the full first 15 were still available for the second gruelling day.

The second round consisted of another three matches, this time against Bedford School, Brighton College, and 2011 winners Dulwich College.

Millfield made a great start and looked far superior, beating Brighton 7 – 0 and Bedford 17 – 0. The final game of the group against Dulwich was the hardest fought of the tournament and could have been the final. Both teams boasted enormous talent, national standard players and were both previous winners of this trophy.

In the first half, Millfield defended for their lives against some big opponents but both teams had their opportunities. Millfield finally got their well deserved try in the second half. At the final whistle you would have been forgiven for thinking the final had just been won, given the intensity of the game and the celebrations on and off the pitch.

Millfield then went onto play John Fisher again in the final. After a very tense first half, Millfield rallied in the second half to win 8 – 0, the catalyst being a great drop goal by the number 10 Callum Sheedy.

Millfield not only won the tournament but also won the ‘Try of the Tournament’ scored by Tom Whiteley and ‘Player of the Tournament’ Sam Denham.

The team were extremely professional and exciting to watch throughout the Tournament, only conceded two tries and displaying classic ‘Millfield’ rugby throughout.

Warm ups and cool downs were completed religiously, which helped to ensure injuries were kept to a minimum and the first 15 were available for every game which is rare in this type of tournament, and very pleasing for the Coaches and Physio, Tom Klinkenberg who was pitch-side throughout the whole tournament.

Well done and congratulations to the Millfield Rugby team from all at Ocean Physio & Rehab, it’s a pleasure to work with you week in week out.

Tom Klinkenberg BSc MCSP HPC AACP, Chartered Physio

Ocean Physio & Rehab

It’s more than treating a trigger finger: Great British (GBR) Shooting Physiotherapist 2012

When I applied to be on the team of physiotherapists covering the various World University sporting events in 2012 I certainly wasn’t expecting to be working in Russia with the GBR University Shooting Team. Along with all my patients who I told I was going to be away for ten days working with a shooting team you are probably thinking as they did ‘what will you have to do with shooters, surely they don’t need a physio’? Well having spent ten days with the GBR shooting team I can tell you they did!

To qualify to shoot in the 4^thWorld University Sport Shooting Championship 2012 all athletes had to complete a certain score at a National competition to be eligible for selection. This enabled four rifle shooters, two pistol shooters and one shot gun shooter to attend the 2012 Championships. Hannah Pugsley was representing GBR in the rifle and is a sports scholar at Exeter University. There were 308 competitors over the three types of guns, over 30 countries.

Kazan, in Russia is the venue for the World University Games 2013 where over 13 thousand university athletes from around the world will compete in various sports. Kazan is the capital of the province of Tatarstan. The World University Games is the biggest multi sporting event behind the Olympics. Hence, the shooting championships alongside the sprint canoeing and rowing were test events for the following year. The athlete’s village was huge and impressive as was the shot gun range. The rifle and pistol range was only finished a few hours before the first unofficial training session started yet no doubt by next year will be equally impressive. Something I have never experienced in my sporting physiotherapy career to date was the level of security and military presence. You would expect this at shooting venues yet the security at the Athletes village was equally as stringent. The language barrier was huge and without the numerous English speaking volunteers and the two attachés we had as a GBR team I am fairly certain we would still be at trying to get guns through customs at Moscow airport.

Having safely arrived at the Athletes village my role as physiotherapist for the team started. Again, what might not be deemed by many as the traditional role of a physio, when travelling with a team ensuring that the effects of jet lag are kept to a minimum by controlling ‘nap time’ and ensuring good hydration were important aspects of my role. The shooting disciplines all had the option to practise on ‘unofficial training sessions’ over two days and then a official training session the day prior to the competition starting following the regulations of the International Shooting Federation (ISSF). This provided an opportunity for me to familiarise myself with the specifics of each discipline, the various and sometime extreme postures they have to hold for over an hour in some cases and the crazy equipment and clothing they use (rifle especially)! Working closely with the coaches allowed for detailed discussions regards biomechanics and by using video footage we could analyse slight inconsistencies between shots and I could get a better ‘slow motion’ understanding of the movements and postures involved in the sport.

I mixed my time between the three shooting disciplines during competition. What I enjoy about working in sport is being immersed in different sporting cultures and practises for example, the scoring system and the physical demands of a sport. I completely underestimated the level of competition that this event would reach. For example the air rifle women’s 10m from a total score of 400, the winner of gold shot 399 and to get into the final of 8 competitors the score was 396 (of which 7 athletes had to shoot off for to gain the 8^th place).   Exeter Universities Hannah Pugsley was the highest finishing GBR athlete scoring 386 finishing 44^th out of 52 which she was very happy with. There were a number of Olympic athletes from other countries at the event and as you would expect they were frequently on the medal podium at this international event.

My role at the various ranges was certainly organisational, ensuring all had adequate water, looking after various kit and carrying gun boxes and bag between ranges etc. A more expected role returned when we arrived back to the athlete’s village. The static and somewhat awkward positions they maintain for matches lasting up to 3 hours muscular tightness and stiffness in the shoulders and back seemed to be common place. The stability and control shooters need to maintain over a significant time period is something I haven’t seen in action within sport before. Ultimately, the same treatment options and exercises work yet I needed to be mindful of the need for static stability hence loosening a shooter off too much may be negative on their performance. The timing of treatment was very much guided by the athlete as again there is much thinking time when shooting and routines are fixed and controlled hence two athletes wanted no treatment during the competition days only before and after.

Working with the GBR University shooting squad was a highly enjoyable and valuable experience for my physiotherapy practise with many transferable skills and experiences to add to my clinical practise. The opportunity to learn the small details of the various disciplines, the structure of the competition and rules and regulations was interesting. Spending time with the coach and athlete to analysis their position in relation to the physical difficulties they may be having yet maintaining the coaching aims was a great example of successful and satisfying team work. Shooting requires a huge amount of static stability, strength and endurance in a very controlled environment from a physical perspective. The psychological challenges of the sport are mind blowing and beyond this blog and most probably my understanding! The combined physical and psychological requirements alongside the endless hours of practise required with the margins being so small between a 10 or a 9 score gives shooters of all disciplines my upmost respect.

The GBR team had a mixed World Championships. All athletes gained international scores which maintain or add to their funding and coaching within their discipline alongside giving them further international competition experience. I will keep an eye out for their names as for all competing in Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games is a very realistic aim.

Would I work with shooters again? Absolutely, it’s much more than treating a trigger finger!

Jo Avery

Chartered Physiotherapist MSc, BSc (Hons), MCSP, HPC

Ocean Physio & Rehab

Setting goals and achieving them

Setting goals and achieving them.

Back in January 2012, I set myself a goal of completing my first Triathlon. At the time this sounded like a great idea, until I received the confirmation of my entry. Then reality kicked in!

I hadn’t swum lengths in a pool for more than 15 years, my running was virtually non-existent and I didn’t even have a road bike.

I’d better get training.

My first visit to my local pool was frankly embarrassing; I kept having to stop every length or so to catch my breath.  I didn’t remember swimming being this hard.

My first few runs weren’t much better, my lungs were burning and my pace was pedestrian at best.

If I was going to complete this triathlon, I was going to need some help.

I have worked in elite sport for many years, working with some fabulous athletes, but this was me, this was different, or was it? Obviously I could never achieve the times that these guys and girls manage, but could I use my knowledge of their processes to my advantage?

I switched my focus from how I was feeling during training (which was generally pretty awful) to setting small inspirational goals, concentrating on the process of achieving them and moving on to the next one.

I bought a GPS watch to monitor each training session, and logged every swim, run and (once I had bought a bike!) ride, and I can honestly say I gave every session 100%.

I also enlisted the help of a Physiologist and had a lactate threshold test. Andy at Exercise Science Consulting ( http://exercisescienceconsulting.co.uk ) changed my training completely; it was very specific, it eliminated unnecessary training, it was measurable and it worked.

Slowly, but surely things improved and then 5 weeks before the event, just when I started to feel like I was getting somewhere, I cut my toe tripping over in my flip flops!

Suddenly, I was no longer trying to average 17 mph on the bike or run sub 7 min miles, I was in danger of not competing. My toe got infected and I was struggling to walk, never mind swim, bike and run.

After a course of antibiotics and some rest, my toe healed and I returned to training like a man possessed.

I had trained so hard, that seven days before the event I felt exhausted. Had I overdone it? I wouldn’t want to race feeling like this. I spoke to Andy, who reassured me that this was normal and I would recover during my tapering week before the race, which sure enough I did.

Race day came round alarmingly quickly, and I asked myself again why I was doing this, but it was far too late to back out now.

I suddenly remembered the last time I swam a competitive swimming race, it wasn’t good. My goggles fell off as I dived into the pool and I’m sure I heard a slow clap as I ‘sprinted’ to the finish!

One thing I have learnt from working with elite sportspeople, is that pre competition nerves and self doubt are completely normal, even in the best athletes feel them.

I focussed on the task in hand and thanked my lucky stars that you can’t dive in during Triathlon swims. This time my goggles were staying put!

Before the race I had set myself a secret goal of trying to beat 1hr 30mins for the 750m swim, 20km ride and 5 km run. I knew this was ambitious at best, as this more or less combined all my best times and allowed no time for transitions!

Before I knew it we were off, the swim felt better than expected, I seemed to find some kind of rhythm early on, and didn’t feel too sick at the end, which was a bonus. I checked my watch, 15 minutes. I was pleased with that and hurried to my bike without looking back.

The transition also seemed to go well. My fear of being disqualified for cycling off in my swimming hat instead of my helmet didn’t happen.

The first lap of the bike ride was rainy and windy, and I quickly realised that cycling in a wet trisuit offers little protection from the cold! I pedalled as hard and fast as I could, not to increase my average mph but to try and warm up, I was freezing!

The rain stopped for the second lap and on the climb up one hill, I was passed by someone with a flash looking bike, going a lot quicker than me. I thought he would disappear, but I managed to keep him in my sights for the rest of the ride.

My transition from bike to run felt ok and as I started on the run, I even managed to high five my wife and our 3 and 5 year old children. Who did I think I was, a Brownlee brother!!!

I concentrated on chasing down the guy who has passed me on the bike, and to my surprise I caught him fairly quickly. As I came close, I put on a sprint, which I immediately regretted, as I realised I would have to keep it up, to avoid him passing me again.

I pushed on as hard as I could, and for the first time in the whole 6 months of training I actually felt quite good during the run rather than quite ill! The run was pretty flat, although a bit boggy and muddy, but I kicked up every little hill and went flat out down any hint of a descent.

Just when I could feel myself starting to tire, I could see the finish line, which was thankfully downhill. I thought it might be little embarrassing to start walking at this point, so I put on a final sprint and crossed the line and checked my watch.

My 5 year old and 3 year old seemed a little more interested in the free jelly beans at the finish, than my time of 1hr 23mins 29secs, but I had broken the 1hr 30 barrier and I was delighted. Exhausted but delighted.

I averaged 18.75 mph on the bike and ran a PB for my 5km, I definitely couldn’t have done that six months ago.

The Triathlon was all in aid of a fabulous charity in Kenya that supports kids with disabilities with a school, orphanage and therapy centre. I checked my total shortly after finishing and I had gone over the £1000 barrier, which was even more pleasing than the 1hr 30 barrier.

The team at Nuru of Mombasa sent me the message below

I can’t thank you enough for all your hard work and for raising an amazing amount of money. I will assure you that every penny raised will go directly to our projects in Mombasa. We have recently
completed the building of the dining room and kitchen and the orphanage. The dining room requires basic furniture, this is something that your money will help to buy.

With all our projects we get the local community involved as much as possible. Local business make the wooden furniture and due to our local contacts we ensure that we pay the local prices which ensure that our money raised benefits the children as much as possible.

I will get our local Kenyan co-ordinator to get quotes for the furniture so we can crack on with furnishing the dining room. I will keep you updated and will forward you photographs when it is complete.

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has sponsored me, you really have done something very worthwhile, that will make a difference.

The website is still open if anyone would like to contribute

http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/oceanphysio

If you’re reading this and thinking about setting yourself a goal, why not go for it, but take my advice, go careful in your flip flops!

Andy Larmour

http://www.oceanphysio.com/

Genius, Genes and Gusto – How passions find you

A lot of factors contribute to creative success.

By Scott Barry Kaufman

As a young teenager on the main line of Philadelphia, I had big hoop dreams. I practiced my layup for hours at my school auditorium, imagining myself as the next Michael Jordan.
That is, until a classmate named Kobe Bryant came along and I saw what the next Michael Jordan really looked like. Let’s just say that when ESPN dropped in to film Bryant playing against his school pals (and killing us) it became crystal clear to me: No matter how hard I practiced, I’d never be like Kobe.

When I was 16, I decided to take up the cello. Though my grandfather, Harry Gorodetzer, was an accomplished cellist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, I’d never touched the instrument. When I asked Harry to start giving me lessons, he was thrilled and we went to work. Right away, I became obsessed. I started practicing during each lunch hour, and after just a few months of playing I got a higher ranking in the school orchestra than a student who had started years earlier. My progress was so rapid that at graduation I was awarded the music department prize. What a contrast from my performance on the court!

Lately, research such as K. Anders Ericsson’s work on the importance of “deliberate practice”—strategic training that focuses on improving one’s weak spots as well as building on one’s strengths—has been getting a lot of play, giving the misguided impression that anyone could be a top musician or athlete if they put in the immense amount of time it takes to master a complex skill. While that may be technically true, it’s not always realistic. To engage in deliberate practice you need a huge helping of motivation. And where does such passion to improve come from? Often it’s in our genes. Merely inheriting some of my grandfather’s string prowess wasn’t enough—I had to do the work. But would I have been willing to callus my fingers if my music-ready mind weren’t so completely enraptured by cello playing? I doubt it.

Innate proclivities (such as Michael Phelps’s incredible wingspan, or Einstein’s powers of visualization) really do exist, and while deliberate practice certainly matters—and is often necessary—genes can facilitate the rate of learning to a considerable degree. Case studies and research have repeatedly shown that many accomplished and creative individuals learn the requisite knowledge and skills of their domain faster than less accomplished individuals.

Take child prodigy Michael Kearney, who is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest person in history to have graduated college, at the age of 10. Michael started talking at four months and reading at eight months. He burned through elementary school lessons at the age of four, and entered college at six. Describing his son’s behavior, Kevin Kearney said it was as if young Michael had a “rage to learn.” Martha J. Morelock at Vanderbilt University, who has worked with exceptionally gifted children including Michael, is convinced that “the kind of intense engagement these children exhibit is a reflection of a brain-based need to learn—a craving for intellectual stimulation matching their cognitive requirements in the same way that the physical body craves food and oxygen.”

By pulling us in certain directions, genes subtly and indirectly influence our attention and fascination. The interplay between talent and motivation is mutually reinforcing. When learning is difficult, there is often less motivation to pursue the task. But when our brain enjoys engaging with particular material, whether it’s breakdancing moves or math theorems, the neurotransmitter dopamine gets released—increasing our energy and drive toward further activity in that domain. Through repeated engagement, even small genetic advantages can quickly convert into big ability advantages, resulting in what some call the Matthew Effect (“the rich get richer, the poor get poorer”).

And for the first time ever, the contribution of genes has even been quantified using sophisticated statistical techniques: Dean Simonton at the University of California at Davis estimates that between 22 percent and 36 percent of the differences in creative achievement in the arts and sciences may be explained by natural endowment.

Note that this leaves most of the differences to be explained by environmental factors such as deliberate practice, encouragement, and access to resources. (Though I didn’t start as early as most musicians do, I grew up in a home filled with classical melodies. Prominent musicians often visited my grandfather and used their orchestral lingo—all of which granted me additional points as a budding cellist.)

The delicate dance between nature and nurture is far more beautiful than one-sided alternatives. Instead of sweeping genes under the rug of deliberate practice, we should celebrate the genetic diversity that does exist. Letting yourself follow your own unique interests is almost as satisfying as a Kobe slam dunk.