The Potential Role of Genetic Markers in Talent Identification and Athlete Assessment in Elite Sport
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 d...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-08-01
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Series: | Sports |
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Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/6/3/88 |
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author | Ysabel Jacob Tania Spiteri Nicolas H. Hart Ryan S. Anderton |
author_facet | Ysabel Jacob Tania Spiteri Nicolas H. Hart Ryan S. Anderton |
author_sort | Ysabel Jacob |
collection | DOAJ |
description | 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 improve—and ultimately enable—targeted resourcing in junior talent pathways. |
first_indexed | 2024-04-11T14:02:01Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-ebb8233b8d744db995d0f31c2fff57c4 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2075-4663 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-04-11T14:02:01Z |
publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Sports |
spelling | doaj.art-ebb8233b8d744db995d0f31c2fff57c42022-12-22T04:20:04ZengMDPI AGSports2075-46632018-08-01638810.3390/sports6030088sports6030088The Potential Role of Genetic Markers in Talent Identification and Athlete Assessment in Elite SportYsabel Jacob0Tania Spiteri1Nicolas H. Hart2Ryan S. Anderton3School of Health Sciences, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle 6160, AustraliaSchool of Health Sciences, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle 6160, AustraliaSchool of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup 6027, AustraliaSchool of Health Sciences, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle 6160, AustraliaIn 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 improve—and ultimately enable—targeted resourcing in junior talent pathways.http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/6/3/88performanceACEACTN3talent identificationgenetic polymorphism |
spellingShingle | Ysabel Jacob Tania Spiteri Nicolas H. Hart Ryan S. Anderton The Potential Role of Genetic Markers in Talent Identification and Athlete Assessment in Elite Sport Sports performance ACE ACTN3 talent identification genetic polymorphism |
title | The Potential Role of Genetic Markers in Talent Identification and Athlete Assessment in Elite Sport |
title_full | The Potential Role of Genetic Markers in Talent Identification and Athlete Assessment in Elite Sport |
title_fullStr | The Potential Role of Genetic Markers in Talent Identification and Athlete Assessment in Elite Sport |
title_full_unstemmed | The Potential Role of Genetic Markers in Talent Identification and Athlete Assessment in Elite Sport |
title_short | The Potential Role of Genetic Markers in Talent Identification and Athlete Assessment in Elite Sport |
title_sort | potential role of genetic markers in talent identification and athlete assessment in elite sport |
topic | performance ACE ACTN3 talent identification genetic polymorphism |
url | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/6/3/88 |
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