
The Importance of Genetics in Sports Performance
Chapter from the book:
Bayrakdar,
A.
&
Kılınç,
H.
(eds.)
2025.
Sports Paradigms VIII: Genetic Research in Sports.
Synopsis
Genetics plays a crucial role in understanding and optimizing sports performance. Genetic traits of athletes influence key motor characteristics such as muscle structure, endurance capacity, and speed, as well as factors like injury risk, recovery times, and sport selection. Genetic testing allows athletes to better understand their potential and create personalized training and nutrition plans. Genetic research, particularly through genetic variants like ACTN3 and ACE, helps determine which sports an athlete is more likely to excel in. However, ethical concerns such as the proper use of genetic data and privacy issues should also be considered. This paper explores the importance of genetics in sports performance and its potential applications.