Sports Genomics

Athletic performance depends not only on choosing a suitable sport for his or her genotype, but also on training, lifestyle, nutrition, and environmental interactions to optimally express the inherited genes. Understanding the genes associated with sports performance is an important landmark in the development of techniques for talent identification in sports. The broad areas where genetic testing can help an athlete are:

In the power and endurance section, genes that code for physiological factors like circulation, cardiac output, cardio-pulmonary capacity, muscle fiber specialization, strength, mitochondrial synthesis, muscle metabolism, and adaptability to training are tested. Based on the results proper guidance can be given about the sport's potential and help the athlete to choose the right sport or the right event in a particular sport. If an individual has better power potential, then the person is likely to be more suitable for events that require a quick burst of energy for a short duration – as in a 100-meter sprint or powerlifting. Similarly, a person with a better endurance potential is likely to succeed in sports that require moderate energy for a longer duration of time as in long-distance athletic events. Team sports generally require a balance of both power and endurance potential. It is to be noted here that no sport or game is exclusively anaerobic (power) or aerobic (endurance), what is important is what dominates – power or endurance.

The injury section tests genes involved in the structural integrity of soft tissues and bone and, flexibility. Certain variants implicate a predisposition to tendon, ligament, and cartilage injuries and bone pathology which make athletes prone to injuries. Repetitive and twisting movement ligament injuries and stress fractures are a few examples. This will help the athlete to take necessary measures to prevent injuries, despite being prone to injuries.

The recovery section tests genes associated with inflammation and free radical stress – results will indicate how quickly the athlete will recover from hard exercise. Even if the athlete has an adverse genetic profile as regards recovery, it can be managed by changes in training, rest, diet, and supplementation – anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and tissue-building nutritional support.