The 6th Congress of Exercise and Sport Sciences

Speed-Power Performance Genetic Variants in Czech Elite Soccer Players

Miroslav Petr Petr Stastny
Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Many research teams around the world intensively study the genetic influence on sport-related traits. Expectations from sports genomics, according to Bouchard (2016), includes defining the extent of human variability; illuminating molecular biology, physiology and behavior to identify biomarkers and correlates; and developing diagnostics. The latter meet practitioners` expectations in sports and other experts for individualization exercise prescription for improved performance or health, sports talent identification, or injury prevention. Unfortunately, current knowledge in sports genomics is not at such a level that it is possible to meet these expectations, and thus further research is needed. Our research on elite Czech soccer players includes a replication study on genetic variants previously associated with sport-related traits, and the whole-exome sequencing data analysis to identify novel variants. We evaluated the influence of selected genetic variants on performance in speed-power and strength laboratory testing, taking into account players’ plying position. The total genetic score regression explained 26% of the variance in jump performance and isokinetic strength. Moreover, other results include decreased hamstring and quadriceps isokinetic strength in defenders’ ACTN3 XX homozygotes compared to ACTN3 R allele carriers. We also found associations between soccer playing position and increased lower limb strength for AMPD1 CC and NOS3 Glu/Glu genotypes and IL1RN*2 allele carriers. Data analyses of whole-exome data are currently underway, but some preliminary data will be shared at the presentation.

Miroslav Petr
Miroslav Petr








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