Genetics and athletic performance: a systematic SWOT analysis of non-systematic reviews

doi:10.3389/fgene.2023.1232987

. 2023 Aug 9:14:1232987.

doi: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1232987. eCollection 2023.

Genetics and athletic performance: a systematic SWOT analysis of non-systematic reviews

Magdalena Johanna Konopka^{1

2}, Billy Sperlich³, Gerard Rietjens⁴, Maurice Petrus Zeegers^{1

2

5}

Affiliations

¹ Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
² Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
³ Integrative and Experimental Exercise Science and Training, Institute of Sport Science, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
⁴ Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
⁵ School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.

PMID: 37621703
PMCID: PMC10445150
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1232987

Genetics and athletic performance: a systematic SWOT analysis of non-systematic reviews

Magdalena Johanna Konopka et al. Front Genet. 2023.

. 2023 Aug 9:14:1232987.

doi: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1232987. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Magdalena Johanna Konopka^{1

2}, Billy Sperlich³, Gerard Rietjens⁴, Maurice Petrus Zeegers^{1

2

5}

Affiliations

¹ Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
² Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
³ Integrative and Experimental Exercise Science and Training, Institute of Sport Science, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
⁴ Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
⁵ School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.

PMID: 37621703
PMCID: PMC10445150
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1232987

Abstract

Exercise genetics/genomics is a growing research discipline comprising several Strengths and Opportunities but also deals with Weaknesses and Threats. This "systematic SWOT overview of non-systematic reviews" (sSWOT) aimed to identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats linked to exercise genetics/genomics. A systematic search was conducted in the Medline and Embase databases for non-systematic reviews to provide a comprehensive overview of the current literature/research area. The extracted data was thematically analyzed, coded, and categorized into SWOT clusters. In the 45 included reviews five Strengths, nine Weaknesses, six Opportunities, and three Threats were identified. The cluster of Strengths included "advances in technology", "empirical evidence", "growing research discipline", the "establishment of consortia", and the "acceptance/accessibility of genetic testing". The Weaknesses were linked to a "low research quality", the "complexity of exercise-related traits", "low generalizability", "high costs", "genotype scores", "reporting bias", "invasive methods", "research progress", and "causality". The Opportunities comprised of "precision exercise", "omics", "multicenter studies", as well as "genetic testing" as "commercial"-, "screening"-, and "anti-doping" detection tool. The Threats were related to "ethical issues", "direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies", and "gene doping". This overview of the present state of the art research in sport genetics/genomics indicates a field with great potential, while also drawing attention to the necessity for additional advancement in methodological and ethical guidance to mitigate the recognized Weaknesses and Threats. The recognized Strengths and Opportunities substantiate the capability of genetics/genomics to make significant contributions to the performance and wellbeing of athletes.

Keywords: SWOT analysis; athletes; exercise; genetics; genomics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

**FIGURE 1**
PRISMA flow diagram of study selection.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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[1] Ahmetov II, Egorova E. S., Gabdrakhmanova L. J., Fedotovskaya O. N. (2016). Genes and athletic performance: An update. Med. Sport Sci. 61, 41–54. 10.1159/000445240 - DOI - PubMed

[2] Ahmetov II, Egorova E. S., Gabdrakhmanova L. J., Fedotovskaya O. N. (2016). Genes and athletic performance: An update. Med. Sport Sci. 61, 41–54. 10.1159/000445240 - DOI - PubMed

[3] Ahmetov II, Fedotovskaya O. N. (2015). Current progress in sports genomics. Adv. Clin. Chem. 70, 247–314. 10.1016/bs.acc.2015.03.003 - DOI - PubMed

[4] Ahmetov II, Fedotovskaya O. N. (2015). Current progress in sports genomics. Adv. Clin. Chem. 70, 247–314. 10.1016/bs.acc.2015.03.003 - DOI - PubMed

[5] Ahmetov II, Hall E. C. R., Semenova E. A., Pranckevičienė E., Ginevičienė V. (2022). Advances in sports genomics. Adv. Clin. Chem. 107, 215–263. 10.1016/bs.acc.2021.07.004 - DOI - PubMed

[6] Ahmetov II, Hall E. C. R., Semenova E. A., Pranckevičienė E., Ginevičienė V. (2022). Advances in sports genomics. Adv. Clin. Chem. 107, 215–263. 10.1016/bs.acc.2021.07.004 - DOI - PubMed

[7] Alvarez-Romero J., Voisin S., Eynon N., Hiam D. (2021). Mapping robust genetic variants associated with exercise responses. Int. J. Sports Med. 42 (1), 3–18. 10.1055/a-1198-5496 - DOI - PubMed

[8] Alvarez-Romero J., Voisin S., Eynon N., Hiam D. (2021). Mapping robust genetic variants associated with exercise responses. Int. J. Sports Med. 42 (1), 3–18. 10.1055/a-1198-5496 - DOI - PubMed

[9] Angelopoulos T. J., Lowndes J., Seip R. L. (2011). Genetics of the adaptation to exercise. World Rev. Nutr. Diet. 102, 144–149. 10.1159/000327801 - DOI - PubMed

[10] Angelopoulos T. J., Lowndes J., Seip R. L. (2011). Genetics of the adaptation to exercise. World Rev. Nutr. Diet. 102, 144–149. 10.1159/000327801 - DOI - PubMed

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Genetics and athletic performance: a systematic SWOT analysis of non-systematic reviews

Affiliations

Genetics and athletic performance: a systematic SWOT analysis of non-systematic reviews

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

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