Role of Genetics in Improving Fitness and Sports Performance


Year : 2024 | Volume : 01 | Issue : 02 | Page : 28-34
    By

    P. P. Ranganathan,

  1. DNA Based Fitness Coach (ISSA) and Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Delhi University, New Delhi, India

Abstract

Research indicates that variations in specific genes affects sports performance, comparing athletes with nonathletes. The genes that have been examined the most in relation to athletic performance are ACE and ACTN3. Strength and endurance have been associated with these genes, which also affect the type of fiber that makes up muscles. Sports performance factors primarily affected by genes are intrinsic motivation to exercise, power and endurance potential, training response to VO2 Max, exercise heart rate response, and exercise stroke volume. It also influences recovery and injury risk of performers. In addition to the aforementioned, genetics affects the tendency to cardio, glucose response of the body to cardio exercise, the response of the body composition to strength training, the utilization of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, the metabolism of caffeine, the response of cholesterol to dietary fat, the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the insulin response to dietary fat, HDL response to cardio, glucose response to cardio, insulin sensitivity response to cardio, testosterone levels, triglyceride response to cardio, vitamin utilization, and mineral utilization. Consequently, knowing these genetic impacts can offer athletes individualized insights for improving their diet and training plans.

Keywords: Genetics, ACTN3 gene, ACE gene, VO2 Max, intrinsic motivation, insulin sensitivity, triglyceride

[This article belongs to Recent Trends in Sports ]

How to cite this article:
P. P. Ranganathan. Role of Genetics in Improving Fitness and Sports Performance. Recent Trends in Sports. 2024; 01(02):28-34.
How to cite this URL:
P. P. Ranganathan. Role of Genetics in Improving Fitness and Sports Performance. Recent Trends in Sports. 2024; 01(02):28-34. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rts/article=2024/view=181437


References

  1. Marian AJ. Sequencing your genome: what does it mean? Methodist DeBakey cardiovascular journal. 2014 Jan;10(1):3.
  2. Andersen JL, Schjerling P, Saltin B. Muscle, genes and athletic performance. Scientific American. 2000 Sep 1;283(3):48-55.
  3. Marian AJ. Challenges in medical applications of whole exome/genome sequencing discoveries. Trends in cardiovascular medicine. 2012 Nov 1;22(8):219-23.
  4. Wang Z, Emmerich A, Pillon NJ, Moore T, Hemerich D, Cornelis MC, Mazzaferro E, Broos S, Ahluwalia TS, Bartz TM, Bentley AR. Genome-wide association analyses of physical activity and sedentary behavior provide insights into underlying mechanisms and roles in disease prevention. Nature genetics. 2022 Sep;54(9):1332-44.
  5. Hills AP, King NA, Armstrong TP. The contribution of physical activity and sedentary behaviours to the growth and development of children and adolescents: implications for overweight and obesity. Sports medicine. 2007 Jun; 37:533-45.
  6. Moore-Harrison T, Lightfoot JT. Driven to be inactive? —The genetics of physical activity. Progress in molecular biology and translational science. 2010 Jan 1; 94:271-90.
  7. Eynon N, Ruiz JR, Oliveira J, Duarte JA, Birk R, Lucia A. Genes and elite athletes: a roadmap for future research. The Journal of physiology. 2011 Jul 1;589(13):3063-70.
  8. Puthucheary Z, Skipworth JR, Rawal J, Loosemore M, Van Someren K, Montgomery HE. Genetic influences in sport and physical performance. Sports medicine. 2011 Oct; 41:845-59.
  9. Varillas-Delgado D, Del Coso J, Gutiérrez-Hellín J, Aguilar-Navarro M, Muñoz A, Maestro A, Morencos E. Genetics and sports performance: the present and future in the identification of talent for sports based on DNA testing. European journal of applied physiology. 2022 Aug;122(8):1811-30.
  10. Appel M, Zentgraf K, Krüger K, Alack K. Effects of genetic variation on endurance performance, muscle strength, and injury susceptibility in sports: A systematic review. Frontiers in physiology. 2021 Jul 21; 12:694411.

Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 01
Issue 02
Received 22/10/2024
Accepted 28/10/2024
Published 05/11/2024


Loading citations…

PlumX Metrics