A Comparison of Training Modality and Total Genotype Scores to Enhance Sport-Specific Biomotor Abilities in Under 19 Male Soccer Players

Abstract

Soccer-specific training (SST) and small-sided games (SSGs) have been shown to develop physical proficiency in soccer. Research on genetics and epigenetics in the prescription of training is limited. The aims of this study were to compare the impact of three different SST/SSG methods and investigate if a total genotype score (TGS) influences training response. Subjects (n = 30 male soccer players, mean ± SD; age 17.2 ± 0.9 years, stature = 172.6 ± 6.2 cm; body mass = 71.7 ± 10.1 kg) were stratified into a 'power' (PG) or 'endurance' (EG) gene profile group, where a 15 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) panel was used to produce algorithmically weighted TGS. Training 1 (T1-SSGs only), Training 2 (T2-SSGs / SST) and Training 3 (T3-SST only) were completed (in that respective order), lasting 8 weeks each, interspersed by 4-week washouts. Acceleration (10 m sprint) was improved by T2 only (1.84 ± 0.09 s v 1.73 ± 0.05 s; Effect Size (ES) = 1.59, p < 0.001). Speed (30 m sprint) was improved

Total Genotype Score Modelling of Polygenic Endurance-Power Profiles in Lithuanian Elite Athletes

“…The use of a total genotype score in practice, so far, is limited to the exploratory data analysis [ 11 , 12 , 22 , 24 , 40 ]. Its usage in talent prediction is premature and was deemed ineffective [ 41 ].…”

“…In a study of TGS application to predict power athletic performance in Japanese athletes [ 22 , 23 ] no association was found. Another study showed that TGS cannot be used to identify talent in soccer, but it can be used to choose training method to develop power-based qualities of soccer players [ 24 ].…”

Physical giftedness/talent: A systematic review of the literature on identification and development

“…Complementing such studies are multiple studies related to talent development interventions that may only apply to individual sports. Among these are studies that demonstrated: (a) the efficacy of small-sided games in the development of biomotor abilities (i.e., speed, agility, power, and aerobic capacity) in soccer (Suraci et al, 2021), (b) the usefulness of participation in diverse sports during one's childhood in the development of movement skills for basketball (Arede et al, 2019), (c) the factors that may be predictive of the acquisition of expertise in fast bowling in cricket (i.e., intrinsic motivation in early development, and a good attitude, pace of bowling, bowling technique, co-ordination, and training ethic in later development (Phillips et al, 2014)), and (d) the effectiveness of an 8 week skill-based volleyball training program in the enhancement of skills in passing, setting, serving, spiking, and blocking (Gabbett et al, 2006).…”

Genética y fútbol: asociación de los polimorfismos genéticos ACTN3 y ACE-I/D en jugadores de fútbol: Revisión literaria (Genetic and soccer: association of ACTN3 and ACE-I/D genetic polymorphisms in soccer players: Literary review)

“…El hecho de que el fenotipo de una persona esté determinado por el genotipo y el ambiente, resalta el grado de influencia de cada uno de estos factores en las cualidades físicas y, más en particular, en el rendimiento deportivo (Padullés i Riu, Terrados, Rodas, & Campos, 2004). Sin embargo, la investigación sobre genética y epigenética en la prescripción del entrenamiento es limitada (Suraci, Quigley, Thelwell, & Milligan, 2019). Con relación a esto último, Kikuchi y Nakazato (2015) plantean que los entrenadores de clubes de fútbol profesional pueden mejorar el rendimiento…”