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How Much Can the Genotype Predict Phenotypical Power Performance in Elite Male and Female Athletes?
Lukas Reichert1, Sebastian Hacker2, Michael Mutz3
1Movement and Exercise Science, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
Journal of Human Kinetics
|February 13, 2025
Summary
Elite athletes
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Genetics
- Human Performance
Background:
- Elite athletic performance is influenced by genetic factors.
- Specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are linked to power capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between athlete genotype and phenotype.
- To explore the genetic underpinnings of power performance in elite athletes.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of 278 German national squad athletes.
- Assessed countermovement jump (CMJ) and 10-m sprint performance.
- Analyzed SNP associations with performance metrics and calculated gender-specific polygenic scores.
Main Results:
- Genotype explained 10% of the variance in CMJ and sprint performance.
- Identified specific SNP-performance correlations in both male and female athletes.
- Observed significant gender differences in genotype distribution for certain genes.
Conclusions:
- Power performance in elite athletes is partly heritable.
- Genetics play a partial role, explaining 10% of power performance.
- Future longitudinal studies should explore genotype's role in individual performance development.
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