Genetic and training adaptations in the Haenyeo divers of Jeju, Korea
Natural selection and relative isolation have shaped the genetics and physiology of unique human populations from Greenland to Tibet. Another such population is the Haenyeo, the all-female Korean divers renowned for their remarkable diving abilities in frigid waters. Apnea diving induces considerable physiological strain, particularly in females diving throughout pregnancy. In this study, we explore the hypothesis that breath-hold diving has shaped physiological and genetic traits in the Haenyeo. We identified pronounced bradycardia during diving, a likely training effect. We paired natural selection and genetic association analyses to investigate adaptive genetic variation that may mitigate the effects of diving on pregnancy through an associated reduction of diastolic blood pressure. Finally, we identified positively selected variation in a gene previously associated with cold water tolerance, which may contribute to reduced hypothermia susceptibility. These findings highlight the importance of traditional diving populations for understanding genetic and physiological adaptation.
Authors
- Yelin Ko (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7452-2635)
- Jonathan Graae (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0959-2706)
- Kendell Clement (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3808-0811)
- Nikolai Baastrup Nordsborg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7077-9265)
- Diana Aguilar‐Gómez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5930-3936)
- Martin Tristani‐Firouzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5916-442X)
- Jacob Bejder (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9698-9188)
- Andrew H. Vaughn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3113-2981)
- Melissa Ilardo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6535-8802)
- Rasmus Nielsen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0513-6591)
- Joo‐Young Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5208-0941)
Institutions
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Cornell University (US)
- University of Utah (US)
- University College Copenhagen (DK)
- Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology (KR)
- New York State University College of Human Ecology (US)
- University of California, Berkeley (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cell Reports
- Published
- 2025-05-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115577
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Genetics and Physical Performance
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 7.27
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología
- National Institutes of Health
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Office of Naval Research
- National Institute of Mental Health
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- National Human Genome Research Institute
- National Cancer Institute
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Office of Naval Research Global
- Common Fund