Genetics in Sports Psychology
Chapter from the book: Bayrakdar, A. & Kılınç, H. (eds.) 2025. Sports Paradigms VIII: Genetic Research in Sports.

Melek Makaracı
Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey University

Synopsis

Recently, the importance of psychological factors in determining athletic abilities has increased. Sport psychogenetics is a field that examines the interaction between psychological factors in sports and genetic influences. In recent years, it has been observed that psychological factors, alongside physical abilities, have gained more significance in determining athletic talent. However, studies on the genetic foundations of athletes' psychological traits remain limited. Sport psychogenetics explores how genetic predispositions affect psychological characteristics such as an athlete’s abilities, motivation, personality, and coping with stress. Genetic variations can influence cognitive abilities, reaction time, and personality, and their relationship with athletic success is also examined. Sport psychogenetics focuses on understanding how genetic variants can affect psychological traits and performance. Research in this field has highlighted genetic variations related to neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Studies on the interaction between genetic and environmental factors have provided significant insights into how they shape individuals' psychological resilience and sports performance. While genetic factors play a role in determining athletes' personality and performance, environmental factors also influence this process. These studies will enable the development of personalized training programs and help us better utilize the potential of the field of sport psychogenetics. In conclusion, sport psychogenetics provides a valuable tool for optimizing psychological success in athletes.

How to cite this book

Makaracı, M. (2025). Genetics in Sports Psychology. In: Bayrakdar, A. & Kılınç, H. (eds.), Sports Paradigms VIII: Genetic Research in Sports. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub706.c3017

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Published

March 26, 2025

DOI