Key result
Total weighted genotype scores were significantly correlated with technical assessments, explaining up to 36% and 40% of the variance in objective shooting and subjective dribbling, respectively.
Why the study?
Technical capabilities have discriminative and prognostic power in youth football, but no research has explored the genetic contribution to technical performance.
Cross-Sectional (n=53)
Yes
Effect estimate: explained up to 40% of the variance
p-value: p=<0.001
Inter-individual genetic variation in specific SNPs (ADBR2, BDNF, DBH, DRD1) may influence the technical capabilities of youth football players.
Genetic scores may relate to youth football skills; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before any selection use.
BACKGROUND: Technical capabilities have significant discriminative and prognostic power in youth football. Although, many factors influence technical performance, no research has explored the genetic contribution. As such, the purpose of this study was to examine the association of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with technical assessments in youth football players. METHODS: Fifty-three male under-13 to under-18 outfield football players from two Category 3 English academies were genotyped for eight SNPs. Objective and subjective technical performance scores in dribbling, passing, and shooting were collated. Simple linear regression was used to analyse individual SNP associations each variable, whereas both unweighted and weighted total genotype scores (TGSs; TWGSs) were computed to measure the combined influence of all SNPs. RESULTS: In isolation, the ADBR2 (rs1042714) C allele, BDNF (rs6265) C/C genotype, DBH (rs1611115) C/C genotype, and DRD1 (rs4532) C allele were associated with superior (8-10%) objective dribbling and/or shooting performance. The TGSs and/or TWGSs were significantly correlated with each technical assessment (except subjective passing), explaining up to 36% and 40% of the variance in the objective and subjective assessments, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest inter-individual genetic variation may influence the technical capabilities of youth football players and proposes several candidate SNPs that warrant further investigation.
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McAuley et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Youth football players (technical capabilities) (n=53). Genetic polymorphisms (SNPs) and Total Genotype Scores (TGS/TWGS) vs. Alternate genotypes / lower genotype scores was evaluated on Objective and subjective technical performance scores in dribbling, passing, and shooting (explained up to 40% of the variance, p=<0.001). Total weighted genotype scores were significantly correlated with technical assessments, explaining up to 36% and 40% of the variance in objective shooting and subjective dribbling, respectively.
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