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Introduction Non‐contact muscle injuries (NCMI) account for a large proportion of sport injuries, affecting athletes’ performance and career, team results and financial aspects. Recently, genetic factors have been attributed a role in the susceptibility of an athlete to sustain NCMI. However, data in this field are only just starting to emerge. Objectives To review available knowledge of genetic variations associated with sport‐related NCMI. Methods The databases Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for relevant articles published until February 2021. The records selected for review were original articles published in peer‐reviewed journals describing studies that have examined NCMI‐related genetic variations in adult subjects (17–60 years) practicing any sport. The data extracted from the studies identified were as follows: general information, and data on genetic polymorphisms and NCMI risk, incidence and recovery time and/or severity. Results Seventeen studies examining 47 genes and 59 polymorphisms were finally included. 29 polymorphisms affecting 25 genes were found significantly associated with NCMI risk, incidence, recovery time, and/or severity. These genes pertain to three functional categories: (i) muscle fiber structural/contractile properties, (ii) muscle repair and regeneration, or (iii) muscle fiber external matrix composition and maintenance. Conclusion Our review confirmed the important role of genetics in NCMI. Some gene variants have practical implications such as differences of several weeks in recovery time detected between genotypes. Knowledge in this field is still in its early stages. Future studies need to examine a wider diversity of sports and standardize their methods and outcome measures.

Introduction: Elevated plasma α-klotho (αKl) protects against several ageing phenotypes and has been proposed as a biomarker of a good prognosis for different diseases. The beneficial health effects of elevated plasma levels of soluble αKl (SαKl) have been likened to the positive effects of exercise on ageing and chronic disease progression. It has also been established that molecular responses and adaptations differ according to exercise dose. The aim of this study is to compare the acute SαKl response to different exercise interventions, cardiorespiratory, and strength exercise in healthy, physically active men and to examine the behavior of SαKl 72h after acute strength exercise.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, plasma SαKl was measured before and after a cardiorespiratory exercise session (CR) in 43 men, and strength exercise session (ST) in 39 men. The behavior of SαKl was also examined 24, 48, and 72h after ST.Results: Significant differences (time×group) were detected in SαKl levels (p=0.001; d=0.86) between CR and ST. After the ST intervention, SαKl behavior varied significantly (p=0.009; d=0.663) in that levels dropped between pre- and post-exercises (p=0.025; d=0.756) and were also significantly higher compared to pre ST values at 24h (p=0.033; d=0.717) and at 48h (p=0.015; d=0.827).Conclusions: SαKl levels increased in response to a single bout of cardiorespiratory exercise; while they decreased immediately after strength exercise, levels were elevated after 24h indicating different klotho protein responses to different forms of exercise.

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