Introduction to genetics of sport and exercise

Abstract

There is a large interindividual variance in the response to training in several phenotypes relevant to physical performance—a complex phenomenon, which is the result of the interaction of numerous intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The relative contribution of genetic or environmental factors to this phenotypic variation has long been a topic of discussion. Although both are undoubtedly critical to performance achievement, accumulated evidence suggests an important relative contribution of genetics. Studies that compare DNA structural variations have suggested that certain gene variants may be involved in the interindividual variance of performance achievement, however, the understanding of the influence of genetics on performance have been challenging due to its complex nature. In the last decades, traditional genetic association studies have had limited success, but more robust methodological approaches have been now introduced in order to better evaluate the potential influence of genetics on performance phenotypes.