Potential Genetic Contributions of the Central Nervous System to a Predisposition to Elite Athletic Traits: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Recent remarkable advances in genetic technologies have allowed for the identification of genetic factors potentially related to a predisposition to elite athletic performance. Most of these genetic variants seem to be implicated in musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary functions. Conversely, it remains unclear whether functions of the central nervous system (CNS) genetically contribute to elite athletic traits, although the CNS plays critical roles in exercise performance. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the emerging implications of CNS-related genes in the modulation of brain activities, including mental performance and motor-related traits, thereby potentially contributing to high levels of exercise performance. In this review, recent advances are summarized, and future research directions are discussed in regard to CNS-related genes with potential roles in a predisposition to elite athletic traits.

Genetics and sports performance: the present and future in the identification of talent for sports based on DNA testing

“…It should be noted that other possible athlete statuses involving coordination and flexibility have still not been studied. Although most of the genetic variants associated with sports performance seem to be implicated in musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary functions, genes associated with enhanced functions of the central nervous system (CNS) may also contribute to elite athletic traits (Kitazawa et al 2021 ). The significance of a particular sport-related genetic marker is based on several criteria, such as the type of the polymorphism (stop loss/gain, frameshift, missense, synonymous, 3′/5′-UTR, intronic, non-coding RNA, 5′/3′-near gene, intergenic, etc.)…”

Determinants of the prevalence and location of musculoskeletal pain in elite Para athletes

“…Sports performance depends on a number of underlying factors, [1] including optimal selection of athletes based on athletic and psychophysical predispositions, nutrition, muscle strength, sleep, recovery, and injury prevention. [1][2][3][4][5][6] However, sports training is known to be a core aspect of performance enhancement, [7] thus coaches adopt a variety of approaches to place greater training loads on the athlete. [8] Training load acts as a stressor that induces a specific response in the athlete's body to overcome the load, adapt, and enhance performance by increasing the physiological capacity.…”

Pain-sensorimotor interactions: New perspectives and a new model

“…the signalling pathways involved in the control of muscle fiber types and contractile processes ( Schiaffino, 2010 , Verbrugge et al, 2018 ). Genetics also plays an important role in brain pathways and functions such as in influencing the function of the descending pain-modulatory and thermoregulatory pathways that are associated with a predisposition to high exercise capacity in rodent models ( Kitazawa et al, 2021 ). Both bones and muscles are also affected by epigenetic and allied environmental influences, as evidenced in animal models by the effects on bones and muscular tissues of nutrition (e.g.…”