Genetics and sport performance: current challenges and directions to the future

Abstract

In recent years there has been a great progress in molecular biology techniques, which has facilitated the researches on infl uence of genetics on human performance. There are specifi c regions of DNA that can vary between individuals. Such variations (i.e., polymorphisms) may, in part, explain why some individuals have differentiated responses to certain stimuli, including the responses to sports training. In a particular sport, the presence of specifi c polymorphisms may contribute to high levels of performance. Since 1998, several polymorphisms have been associated with athletic phenotypes; however the accumulation of information generated over these 15 years shows that the infl uence of genetics to sport is extremely complex. In this review, we will summarise the current status of the fi eld, discussing the implications of available knowledge for the practice of professionals involved with the sport and suggesting future directions for research. We also discuss topics related to the importance of polygenic profi le characterization of athletes, methods for the identifi cation of new polymorphisms associated with physical performance, the use of genetic testing for predicting competitive success, and how how crucial is the genetic profi le for the success athletes in competition.