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Genomic predictors of physical activity and athletic performance
Ildus I Ahmetov1, George John2, Ekaterina A Semenova3
1Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Sports Genetics Laboratory, St Petersburg Research Institute of Physical Culture, St. Petersburg, Russia; Laboratory of Genetics of Aging and Longevity, Kazan State Medical University, Kazan, Russia; Department of Physical Education, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, Russia.
Genetic research has identified numerous DNA variants linked to physical activity and athletic performance. These genetic markers are crucial for understanding individual differences in exercise response and athlete status.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Genomics
- Exercise Science
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Physical activity and athletic performance are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
- Advances in genomics have identified DNA variants associated with physical activity traits.
- Exercise genomics explores genetic links to athlete status, injury risk, and training response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review genetic markers associated with physical activity and athlete status.
- To summarize findings from lifestyle and behavioral genomics studies.
- To highlight the role of genetic variants in physical activity and performance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating genetic markers.
- Analysis of associations between DNA polymorphisms and physical activity traits.
- Examination of genetic links to endurance, power, and strength-related athlete status.
Main Results:
- As of September 2023, 149 variants are associated with physical activity traits (42 genome-wide significant).
- 253 variants are linked to athlete status, including 115 for endurance, 96 for power, and 42 for strength.
- Genetic variants play a significant role in determining physical activity levels and athletic capabilities.
Conclusions:
- Genomic research has identified a substantial number of genetic variants influencing physical activity and athletic performance.
- These findings have implications for personalized training, injury prevention, and understanding elite athlete genetics.
- Continued research in exercise genomics will further elucidate the genetic architecture of human physical performance.
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