Influence of Genetics on Sports Injuries

Abstract

The identification of risk factors and the assessment of athlete’s predisposition to suffer an injury and the way in which it will occur is hard to predict due to the multifactorial origin of the lesions. In recent years, the importance of the genetic component of each individual as a possible cause of injury predisposition is being evaluated. The objective of this work was to write a review of the genetic studies carried out to date on connective tissue injuries and propose future research lines that would allow the development of more personalized training programs and specify preventive therapies in order to reduce the injury risk. The multifactorial origin of injuries complicates the identification of risk factors (extrinsic and intrinsic factors). Together, these factors and their interaction predisposes an athlete to injuries. In recent years, the genetic component of each individual as a possible cause of injury predisposition has become of importance. The aim of this article was to propose a review of published genetic studies related to connective tissue repair or regeneration and to pave the way for future Sports Medicine Research. This information could be very useful in order to individualize the preventive strategies to avoid injuries and to optimize the therapeutic and rehabilitation process after injuries. Applied biology is already contributing new knowledge by providing new biomarkers that will give information and increase understanding regarding the susceptibility of individuals to suffer certain types of injury. Genetic analysis can offer us reliable and objective predictive parameter that combined with the current methods of analysis will help improve the performance and management of athletes.