What question did this study set out to answer?

This review explores how genetic factors and environmental influences interact to affect athletic performance and injury risk.

March 2, 2026Open Access

Narrative Review on Genetic Influences on Sports Performance: Impact on Endurance, Power, Injury Susceptibility, and Training Adaptations

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Review. Population: Adult athletes aged 18-45 across various sports disciplines including endurance, power, elite, and injury-prone athletes. Intervention: Genetic polymorphism testing and interaction with environmental factors (training, nutrition) vs. No genetic testing or different genotypes. Primary outcome: Athletic performance outcomes including endurance, power, strength, injury susceptibility, and training adaptations related to genetic polymorphisms (OR 0.80 for reduced injury risk with VEGFA rs699947 C allele, 95% CI 0.6510-0.98, p=0.03).

Key Result

VEGFA rs699947 C allele carriers had a 20% reduced risk of tendon and ligament injuries (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.6510-0.98, P=0.03) among athletes.

Key Points

This review explores how genetic factors and environmental influences interact to affect athletic performance and injury risk.
Narrative literature review of genetic influences on athletic performance across various sports.
Analysis of significant genetic polymorphisms, including ACTN3, ACE, and VEGFA.
Examination of the impact of environmental factors like training and nutrition on performance.
Discussion on genetic-environment interactions and their implications for training and injury prevention.
Found significant genetic polymorphisms associated with endurance and power.
Highlighted the role of nutritional supplementation (e.g., iron, caffeine) on performance outcomes.
Emphasized the need for individualized training and injury prevention strategies based on genetic profiles.

Structured PICO

Population

Athletes across various sports (endurance, power, elite athletes, injury-prone athletes), adults aged 18-45

Intervention

Genetic polymorphisms (e.g., ACTN3 rs1815739, ACE I/D, VEGFA rs699947) and their interaction with environmental factors (training and nutrition)

Outcome

Influence of genetic factors on sports performance, injury susceptibility, training outcomes, and the prediction of athletic potential

Elite athletic performance is a complex confluence of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, underscoring the importance of personalized training and injury prevention.

Main Result

Effect estimate: OR 0.80 for reduced injury risk with VEGFA rs699947 C allele (95% CI 0.6510-0.98)

p-value: p=0.03

Limitations

Studies were mostly observational or cross-sectional, limiting causal inference.
Female athletes and diverse ethnic groups were underrepresented, limiting generalizability.
Single reviewer extraction may introduce bias and incompleteness.
Heterogeneity of genetic testing and performance measurement methods across studies.
Potential publication bias with underrepresentation of negative findings.
Search limited to English language studies.

Abstract

The presented narrative literature review analyzes the interaction between genetic polymorphisms and environmental factors (training and nutrition) to define athletic performance and risk of injury. Genetic endurance, power, strength and risk of injury, was reviewed in a variety of sports including football, rugby and soccer. Significant genetic polymorphisms were found, such as ACTN3 rs1815739, ACE I/D and VEGFA rs699947, which influence the outcome of the performance and risk of injury. Also the significance of the genetic and environmental interaction, particularly in reaction to nutritional supplementation like iron and caffeine, was highlighted and personal training and nutritional habits were mentioned as crucial in realising the best in athletic performance. Despite high levels of correlation between the genetic factors and the athletic performance, it was apparent that elite performance is a complicated confluence of genetic predisposition and the environment which underscores the importance of treating individuals uniquely as far as training and injury prevention are concerned. The review will require more research in the enhancement of genetic testing technologies and translating them into practice in the field of sports science.

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Cite This Study

Anosha Altaf (Thu,) conducted a review in Adult athletes aged 18-45 across various sports disciplines including endurance, power, elite, and injury-prone athletes. Genetic polymorphism testing and interaction with environmental factors (training, nutrition) vs. No genetic testing or different genotypes was evaluated on Athletic performance outcomes including endurance, power, strength, injury susceptibility, and training adaptations related to genetic polymorphisms (OR 0.80 for reduced injury risk with VEGFA rs699947 C allele, 95% CI 0.6510-0.98, p=0.03). VEGFA rs699947 C allele carriers had a 20% reduced risk of tendon and ligament injuries (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.6510-0.98, P=0.03) among athletes.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a52f63f1e85e5c73bf2476 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.70389/pjs.100265