Genetics, sport and exercise: Background and methods

In this chapter we will cover sport and exercise genetics or kinesiogenomics, which can be defined as the application of genetics to sport and exercise-related traits. Sporting performance depends on nature and nurture or, to use more specific terms, on: x genetics (i.e. inherited and newly occurring variations in the DNA sequence, also referred to as innate talent) and x environmental factors (i.e. factors such as training and nutrition). e degree to which genetics and environmental factors affect sporting performance or other sport and exercise-related traits varies depending on the trait. For example, the contribution of genetics (the heritability estimate) to V. O2max is 50% (Bouchard et al., 1999). is means that 50% of the variation in V. O2max values can be explained by genetic or DNA sequence variations and the other 50% is due to environmental factors such as endurance training or diet. us in order to achieve the high V. O2max val- ues seen in some Olympic endurance athletes it is necessary for an athlete to both carry DNA sequence variations that code for a high basal V. O2max and V. O2max trainability and to train hard. No one has phrased this better than Per-Olof Astrand, who is reported to have said ‘the most important thing an aspiring athlete can do is to choose the right parents’.