Recently, the influence of genetics on sports performance has received increased attention from many researchers. In combat sports, some investigations have also been conducted. This article's main objective was to review the representation of specific gene polymorphisms in combat sports athletes compared to controls. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Web of Science and SportDiscus. The terms used in this search involved combat sports (boxing, karate, judo, mixed martial arts, taekwondo and wrestling), genes, genetics and candidate genes. Articles published until November 2013 were included if combat sports athletes were considered as a single group (i.e., not mixed with athletes of other sports). Seven studies were found, with two presenting no difference between combat sports athletes and controls, two presenting higher frequencies of candidate genes related to a more endurance-related profile compared to controls, and three where a more power-related gene overrepresentation was found in comparison to controls. Taken together, the initial studies about the genetic characteristics of combat sports athletes are controversial, which is probably due to the mixed (aerobic and anaerobic) characteristic and to the multifactorial performance determinants of these sports.Keywords: Gene; polymorphisms; sports performance.
¿Nacidos para combatir? Genética y deportes de combate ResumenRecientemente, la influencia de la genética en el rendimiento deportivo ha recibido una creciente atención por parte de muchos investigadores. En deportes de combate también se han desarrollado algunas investigaciones. El objetivo principal de este artículo es revisar la presencia de polimorfismos en genes específicos en deportistas de combate respecto a con grupos de control. Se exploraron las bases de datos: PubMed, Web of Science y SportDiscus. Los términos de búsqueda utilizados fueron combat sports (boxing, karate, judo, mixed martial arts, taekwondo y wrestling), genes, genetics y candidate genes. Se incluyeron artículos publicados hasta noviembre de 2013, si los atletas de deportes de combate eran considerados en un grupo único (i.e., sin mezclarse con atletas de otros deportes). Se encontraron siete estudios, de los cuales dos no presentaron diferencias entre los deportistas de combate y controles, dos presentaron frecuencias más altas de genes candidatos relacionados con un perfil más orientado a la resistencia en comparación con los grupos control, y en tres hubo una mayor representación de genes relacionados con la potencia en comparación con los grupos control. Considerados conjuntamente, los estudios iniciales sobre las características genéticas de los deportistas de combate son controvertidos, lo cual
Nascido para lutar? Genética e esportes de combate ResumoRecentemente a influência da genética no desempenho esportivo tem recebido aumento de atenção de muitos pesquisadores. Em esportes de combate, algumas investigações também têm sido conduzidas. Esse artigo teve como objetivo principal revisar a representa...