Biochemical, physiological, and genetic markers play an important role in assessing overall human health, monitoring the health effects of physical activity and sport, the biological response to physical activity, and preventing diseases resulting from sedentary life and / or aging (1, 2). Recent studies show that heredity plays an important role in health benefits and risk reduction for both the prevention and treatment of chronic medical conditions and those genes constitute a significant constituent component in AF (4). Map of Genes that define traits related to Performance and Health (The Human Gene Map for Performance and Health related Fitness Phenotypes-HGMPHFP) identifies and lists a number of genes associated with these traits, as well as with the response to exercise. These genes affect physical activity, exert multiple biochemical, physiological, and physical effects, directly or indirectly related to physical fitness traits, and shed light on the mechanisms of changes in physical and athletic performance, making them valuable candidates for identifying sports talent, tracking and monitoring exercise (17, 18, 21). It is important to keep in mind that physical performance related to health, physical activity in general and sports in particular, depends on many factors, like genetic, anthropological, anatomical, motor and psychomotor skills and external such as exercise, diet , behavior and adherence to AF and socio-cultural ones (3, 22, 30, 33). The main purpose of this study is to present an overview of the variety and use of genetic markers for identifying, tracking and monitoring physical fitness, the positive effects of acute and chronic exercise and potential health risks such as cardio- respiratory, stress oxidative, inflammatory conditions, lesions, and other applications. Another aim of this study is to provide up-to-date information to stakeholders in our country and to raise awareness and encouragement for the use of these indicators for all the broad applications mentioned above in this context..
Genetic markers and their role in assessing health and performance in the context of physical activity and sports
Published in JPASE Journal (Volume 5, Issue 1, June 2023)
Abstract
Biomarkers (BM) are different types of biomolecules, used as indicators to assess the health status and benefits of individuals engaged in physical and sport activity. These markers are selected and vary as to the researchpurposes,whethertrackingexercise, to monitor and analyse the body’s response to physical activity and sport performance. They are also used to explore on biological and physipological mechanisms which are at the base of the health risks from inactivity/ sedentarity as well as poor or excessive training. Heritability research data provide substantial support for the role of genes in influencing a number of health related features such as physical fitness, obesity and nutritional behavior and sport performance. However, Physical Activity, biological response associated with its health benefits and sport performance, display a complex nature influenced by both internal; factors such as genetic, biochemical, physiological and extrinsic one like exercise and training. In Albania, the use of biomarkers in general and the genetic ones in particular in the context of PA and Health studies and programs is very limited and is not a common practice. The main aim of this paper is the analysis and review of current literature regarding the use and role of these markers in this context, explore possibilities to establish a knowhow basis to further apply and implement them in the assessment of health benefits for those engaged with physical activity in general and for the monitoring of health, sport performance and rehabilitation in athletes in our country.
Keywords
Genetic markers, sports, Biomarkers
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