Učënye Zapiski Kazanskogo Universiteta. Seriâ Estestvennye Nauki (Jun 2017)
Application of Omics Technologies in the System of Sports Training
Abstract
Deciphering the human genome, and further development of omics technologies, have opened new opportunities in studying the molecular mechanisms underlying the sport success. According to modern concepts of functional genomics, it is believed that individual differences in the degree of development of physical and mental qualities, as well as in the susceptibility to different diseases of athletes are largely due to DNA polymorphisms. Genetic markers associated with the development and manifestation of physical qualities (speed, strength, endurance, agility, flexibility) can be used in the sports selection system, to clarify sports specialization and to optimize the training process. Other molecular markers (methyl groups, transcripts, telomerase activity, telomeres, circulating DNA, metabolites, proteins, etc.) in addition to predicting athletic performance, allow assessing the current functional state of the athlete, including the phenomenon of overtraining. The purpose of this review is to provide data on the use of genomic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolic methods in sports talent identification, assessing the current functional status of athletes and in the prescription of personal training and nutrition programs. Future research, including multicentre genome-wide association studies and whole-genome sequencing in large cohorts of athletes with further validation and replication, will substantially contribute to the discovery of large numbers of the causal genetic variants (mutations and DNA polymorphisms) that would partly explain the heritability of athlete status and related phenotypes.
