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Genetic Variants and Hamstring Injury in Soccer: An Association and Validation Study
Jon Larruskain1, David Celorrio1, Irantzu Barrio1
1Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, SPAIN.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|October 5, 2017
Summary
Certain genetic variants are linked to hamstring injuries in soccer players, but they alone do not predict injury risk. Further research is needed to develop effective multifactorial risk models for hamstring injuries.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Genetics
- Musculoskeletal Injury
Background:
- Noncontact hamstring muscle injuries are common in elite soccer players.
- Understanding the genetic factors contributing to these injuries is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and noncontact hamstring injuries in elite soccer players.
- To develop and validate a predictive model for hamstring injury risk.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 107 elite male outfield players over six seasons.
- Genotyping for 37 SNP and analysis of associations with hamstring injuries, considering age, previous injury, and anthropometric data.
- Development of a multivariable Cox frailty model and validation using Harrell's C index.
Main Results:
- Five SNP (MMP3, TNC, IL6, NOS3, HIF1A) showed significant associations with hamstring injury risk.
- Older age (≥24 years) was also a significant risk factor.
- The predictive model demonstrated acceptable discrimination in the discovery phase (C index = 0.74) but failed in the validation phase (C index = 0.52).
Conclusions:
- Genetic variants play a role in hamstring injury etiology but lack independent predictive value.
- Further research incorporating more genetic variants and environmental factors is required for robust multifactorial risk models.
