Genetic Profiles to Identify Talents in Elite Endurance Athletes and Professional Football Players

Abstract Background The genetic profile that is needed to identify talents has been studied extensively in recent years. The main objective of this investigation was to approach, for the first time, the study of genetic variants in several polygenic profiles and their role in elite endurance and professional football performance by comparing the allelic and genotypic frequencies to the non-athlete population. Methods Genotypic and allelic frequencies were determined in 452 subjects; 292 professional athletes (160 elite endurance athletes and 132 professional football players) and 160 non-athlete subjects. Genotyping of liver metabolism, iron metabolism and energy efficiency, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle performance was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Single Nucleotide Primer Extension (PCR-SNPE). The combination of the polymorphisms for the “optimal” polygenic profile was quantified using the genotype score (GS) and total genotype score (TGS). Results Statistical differences were found in the genetic distributions between professional athletes and the non-athlete population in liver metabolism, iron metabolism and energy efficiency, and muscle performance (p<0.001). The binary logistic regression model showed a favourable OR (odds ratio) of being a professional athlete against a non-athlete in liver metabolism (OR: 1.965; 95% CI: 1.285–3.016; p=0.002), iron metabolism and energy efficiency (OR: 2.213; 95% CI: 1.425-3.438; p<0.001), and muscle performance (OR: 2.700; 95% CI: 1.750-4.165; p<0.001) in the polymorphisms studied. Conclusions Genetic distribution in professional athletes as regards endurance (professional cyclists and elite runners) and professional football players shows genetic selection in these sports disciplines.