The effects of dopamine receptor genes on the trajectories of sport participation from adolescence through young adulthood

Abstract

Background: Although previous studies suggest that dopamine receptor genes partially affect physical activity-related behaviours, all of these studies were cross-sectional studies that examined the effects of dopamine receptor genes on physical activity-related behaviours at some point in time. Therefore, the nature and extent of this relationship across the lifespan are even more uncertain. Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of dopamine receptor genes (i.e. DRD2, DRD4 and DRD5) on sport participation trajectories from adolescence to young adulthood. Subjects and methods: This study used the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health data (wave 1–4). Group-based trajectory modelling was used to investigate the effect of dopamine receptor genes on the probability of being in each sport participation trajectory group. Results: A three-group model was the best fitting model for men whereas a two-group model was the best fitting model for women. The more participants possess the A1 allele of the DRD2, the less likely they are to be in the “high-decreasing group” rather than the “low-stable group” in both men and women. In male participants, the more participants carry the A1 allele of the DRD2, the more likely they are to be in the “high-stable group” rather than the “high-decreasing group” (coefficient = 0.206, p<.05). Conclusions: These results can contribute to the literature by providing important information on the effects of dopamine receptor genes on sport participation trajectories from adolescence through young adulthood.

Keywords

• dopamine receptor genes
• sport participation
• group-based trajectory modelling
• adolescents
• young adults