TY - JOUR
T1 - The Potential Role of Genetic Markers in Talent Identification and Athlete Assessment in Elite Sport
AU - Jacob, Ysabel
AU - Spiteri, Tania
AU - Hart, Nicolas H.
AU - Anderton, Ryan S.
PY - 2018/9
Y1 - 2018/9
N2 - In elite sporting codes, the identification and promotion of future athletes into specialised talent pathways is heavily reliant upon objective physical, technical, and tactical characteristics, in addition to subjective coach assessments. Despite the availability of a plethora of assessments, the dependence on subjective forms of identification remain commonplace in most sporting codes. More recently, genetic markers, including several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been correlated with enhanced aerobic capacity, strength, and an overall increase in athletic ability. In this review, we discuss the effects of a number of candidate genes on athletic performance, across single-skilled and multifaceted sporting codes, and propose additional markers for the identification of motor skill acquisition and learning. While displaying some inconsistencies, both the ACE and ACTN3 polymorphisms appear to be more prevalent in strength and endurance sporting teams, and have been found to correlate to physical assessments. More recently, a number of polymorphisms reportedly correlating to athlete performance have gained attention, however inconsistent research design and varying sports make it difficult to ascertain the relevance to the wider sporting population. In elucidating the role of genetic markers in athleticism, existing talent identification protocols may significantly improveand ultimately enabletargeted resourcing in junior talent pathways.
AB - In elite sporting codes, the identification and promotion of future athletes into specialised talent pathways is heavily reliant upon objective physical, technical, and tactical characteristics, in addition to subjective coach assessments. Despite the availability of a plethora of assessments, the dependence on subjective forms of identification remain commonplace in most sporting codes. More recently, genetic markers, including several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been correlated with enhanced aerobic capacity, strength, and an overall increase in athletic ability. In this review, we discuss the effects of a number of candidate genes on athletic performance, across single-skilled and multifaceted sporting codes, and propose additional markers for the identification of motor skill acquisition and learning. While displaying some inconsistencies, both the ACE and ACTN3 polymorphisms appear to be more prevalent in strength and endurance sporting teams, and have been found to correlate to physical assessments. More recently, a number of polymorphisms reportedly correlating to athlete performance have gained attention, however inconsistent research design and varying sports make it difficult to ascertain the relevance to the wider sporting population. In elucidating the role of genetic markers in athleticism, existing talent identification protocols may significantly improveand ultimately enabletargeted resourcing in junior talent pathways.
KW - performance
KW - ACE
KW - ACTN3
KW - talent identification
KW - genetic polymorphism
KW - ACTN3 R577X POLYMORPHISM
KW - CONVERTING-ENZYME GENE
KW - BDNF VAL66MET POLYMORPHISM
KW - GAME-RELATED STATISTICS
KW - D2 RECEPTOR GENE
KW - ACE GENE
KW - AEROBIC CAPACITY
KW - AUSTRALIAN-FOOTBALL
KW - NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR
KW - C957T POLYMORPHISM
U2 - 10.3390/sports6030088
DO - 10.3390/sports6030088
M3 - Review article
VL - 6
JO - Sports
JF - Sports
SN - 2075-4663
IS - 3
M1 - 88
ER -