Genetic Testing for Sports Performance
07/31/24 • 103 min
In this episode, I discuss genetic testing for sports and athletic performance. I describe the history of sports genomics and the search for genes that determine strength, endurance, and other performance markers. I explain how to interpret genetic test results, including how many genes determine a trait, the relative influence of a single gene, and the likelihood that a genetic variant produces noticeable performance effects.
I discuss the ethical issues and current limitations of using genetic testing for athletic talent identification. I explain whether your genetic profile can help optimize personalized training, exercise, and nutrition programs to further accelerate performance. I also discuss gene doping, gene editing, gene therapy, and the future of sports genomics.
If listeners have done or are considering genetic testing for personal or client use, this episode will provide a framework for the validity, accuracy, and reliability of current genetic testing and how to interpret their results.
Access the full show notes for this episode at performpodcast.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform
Rhone: https://rhone.com/perform
Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform
Continuum: https://continuum.club/perform
Absolute Rest: https://www.absoluterest.com/perform
Renaissance Periodization: https://rpstrength.com/perform
Timestamps
00:00:00 Genetics, Sports Genomics
00:06:51 Genetic Testing & Human Performance
00:11:21 Sponsors: AG1 & Rhone
00:14:33 Sports Genomics, Genome vs. Gene, Athlete Passport
00:19:37 Genotype & Alleles; Variation, Polymorphisms, SNPs & Mutations
00:25:12 Myostatin Mutation; ACTN3 & ACE Genes
00:32:42 Sponsor: Momentous & Continuum
00:35:36 Investigate: Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing
00:38:10 History of Sport Genomics, Candidate Genes
00:45:41 Polygenic Traits, Polygenic Risk Score; Gene Editing
00:53:12 Sponsors: Absolute Rest & Renaissance Periodization
00:55:34 Interpret: 5 Questions About Genes & Traits; ACTN3 & ACE Genes
01:05:36 Traits & Gene Number; Height
01:11:14 Traits & Sports Performance, Elite Athletes; Athletic Talent Identification
01:18:19 Genetic Contribution to Traits, Variance
01:21:37 Likelihood & Magnitude of Genetic Effect; Ethnic Background & Genes
01:28:46 Intervene: Gene Doping, Gene Editing
01:31:56 Personalized Training, Precision Nutrition
01:34:29 Future of Sports Genomics & Ethics
01:37:50 Genetics & Athletic Performance
01:41:52 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Perform Newsletter, Social Media
In this episode, I discuss genetic testing for sports and athletic performance. I describe the history of sports genomics and the search for genes that determine strength, endurance, and other performance markers. I explain how to interpret genetic test results, including how many genes determine a trait, the relative influence of a single gene, and the likelihood that a genetic variant produces noticeable performance effects.
I discuss the ethical issues and current limitations of using genetic testing for athletic talent identification. I explain whether your genetic profile can help optimize personalized training, exercise, and nutrition programs to further accelerate performance. I also discuss gene doping, gene editing, gene therapy, and the future of sports genomics.
If listeners have done or are considering genetic testing for personal or client use, this episode will provide a framework for the validity, accuracy, and reliability of current genetic testing and how to interpret their results.
Access the full show notes for this episode at performpodcast.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform
Rhone: https://rhone.com/perform
Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform
Continuum: https://continuum.club/perform
Absolute Rest: https://www.absoluterest.com/perform
Renaissance Periodization: https://rpstrength.com/perform
Timestamps
00:00:00 Genetics, Sports Genomics
00:06:51 Genetic Testing & Human Performance
00:11:21 Sponsors: AG1 & Rhone
00:14:33 Sports Genomics, Genome vs. Gene, Athlete Passport
00:19:37 Genotype & Alleles; Variation, Polymorphisms, SNPs & Mutations
00:25:12 Myostatin Mutation; ACTN3 & ACE Genes
00:32:42 Sponsor: Momentous & Continuum
00:35:36 Investigate: Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing
00:38:10 History of Sport Genomics, Candidate Genes
00:45:41 Polygenic Traits, Polygenic Risk Score; Gene Editing
00:53:12 Sponsors: Absolute Rest & Renaissance Periodization
00:55:34 Interpret: 5 Questions About Genes & Traits; ACTN3 & ACE Genes
01:05:36 Traits & Gene Number; Height
01:11:14 Traits & Sports Performance, Elite Athletes; Athletic Talent Identification
01:18:19 Genetic Contribution to Traits, Variance
01:21:37 Likelihood & Magnitude of Genetic Effect; Ethnic Background & Genes
01:28:46 Intervene: Gene Doping, Gene Editing
01:31:56 Personalized Training, Precision Nutrition
01:34:29 Future of Sports Genomics & Ethics
01:37:50 Genetics & Athletic Performance
01:41:52 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Perform Newsletter, Social Media
Previous Episode
Avoid Fitness Plateaus, Overtraining & Mis-Timed Performance Peaks
In this episode, I discuss training plateaus, overtraining, and peaking (aka “tapering”) to help you train smart for your goals and effectively use rest to maximize performance.
I discuss training plateaus, the underlying molecular mechanisms that cause plateaus, and how to overcome plateaus by targeting systems and nutrition-based approaches. I describe how overtraining reduces performance, which molecular biomarkers to measure to determine if you are overtrained, and how to recover from overtraining. I also explain how to use peaking (tapering) to significantly enhance performance, when to place a taper relative to competition, and how to effectively taper by reducing volume and increasing rest days.
I explain multiple causes and solutions for diminished performance and describe tracking options for measuring your health, fatigue, and performance. Listeners will learn how high-performance athletes, down to general exercisers, should measure, monitor, and intervene in plateaus, overtraining, and taper effectively.
Access the full show notes for this episode at performpodcast.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/perform
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/perform
Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform
Vitality Blueprint: https://vitalityblueprint.com/perform
Renaissance Periodization: https://rpstrength.com/perform
Timestamps
00:00:00 Plateau, Peaking & Overtraining
00:03:57 Sponsors: LMNT & AG1
00:07:26 “Stress is Stress,” Training & Inactivity
00:11:13 3 Scenarios for Plateau, Peaking & Overtraining
00:15:43 Physiological Passport, Personal Variation
00:20:45 Data Collection & Personal Load
00:23:54 Tool: Minimal Viable Solution & Tracking
00:28:00 Sponsor: Eight Sleep & Momentous
00:30:45 Identifying Plateau: Muscle Growth Plateau, Newbie Gains
00:36:41 Overcoming Plateau: Targeting Systems, Plateau Possible Mechanisms
00:46:46 Overcoming Plateau: Nutrition, Protein
00:53:19 Sponsor: Vitality Blueprint & Renaissance Periodization (RP)
00:56:48 Identifying Overtraining vs. Functional & Non-Functional Overreaching
01:04:33 Reduced Performance, Fatigue & Molecular Biomarkers
01:10:40 Blood Biomarkers, Protein Status Markers
01:17:45 Peaking (Tapering) & Performance
01:27:04 Tool: Effectively Taper; Volume & Intensity
01:33:38 Taper & Biomarkers, Testosterone
01:36:34 Tools: Taper Styles; Rest Days, Taper Variables; Individual Variability
01:45:05 Speed, Team Sports, Skills, Endurance & Taper
01:48:35 High-Performance Athletes & Tracking, Human Digital Twin
01:54:17 Tool: Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Respiratory Rate
02:00:31 Tool: Acute & Chronic Actions; Caffeine, Carbohydrates
02:04:18 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Perform Newsletter, Social Media
Next Episode
How to Use & Interpret Blood Tests for High Performance
In this episode, I discuss blood testing for athletic performance. I explain how performance-based blood testing differs from medical or disease-based blood panels and the pros and cons of blood testing for performance.
I explain how to choose specific blood markers based on your performance goals, scenario, and situation. I also discuss the timing, frequency, and preparation for blood tests to increase the accuracy and validity of results. I explain how to contextualize blood test results, interpret reference ranges, and account for the natural variability of blood markers. I also discuss how to improve blood test results through nutrition, behaviors, training, or supplementation.
Listeners of this episode will understand how to determine appropriate blood markers for yourself or your client based on specific training goals and how to interpret blood results so you can look, feel, and perform at your best.
Access the full show notes for this episode at performpodcast.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/perform
Vitality Blueprint: https://vitalityblueprint.com/perform
Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/perform
Renaissance Periodization: https://rpstrength.com/perform
Timestamps
00:00:00 Blood Testing, Albumin, MCV
00:03:05 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Vitality Blueprint
00:05:55 Blood Testing for Performance
00:09:24 Cons of Blood Work
00:13:39 Pros of Blood Work
00:19:30 Investigate: Blood Panels for General Health, CBC, CMP
00:25:14 Blood Panels for Performance; Bodybuilding, Protein Turnover
00:32:08 Sponsors: Momentous & LMNT
00:35:21 Albumin, Hydration, Inflammation
00:38:50 Endurance Training, Iron
00:46:33 Essential Vitamins & Minerals: Zinc, Chromium, Magnesium, B12
00:50:52 Sodium, Potassium
00:56:48 Energy & Fatigue, Blood Glucose
01:02:39 Sponsors: AG1 & Renaissance Periodization
01:05:18 Tool: Getting Good Blood Data, 48-Hour Rule, Timing, Hydration
01:12:55 Sensitive vs. Resilient Markers; Blood Test Consistency, Testosterone
01:19:41 Interpret: References Ranges, Blood Glucose, Homocysteine
01:28:44 Context & Interpretation, Strength vs. Endurance
01:34:13 Sleep Apnea, Hemoglobin, Endurance Training
01:37:33 Medical vs. Performance Blood Markers, Blood Volume, Creatinine
01:46:18 ALT, AST, Athlete’s Paradox
01:49:05 Optimal for What?, Context & Blood Markers
01:56:35 Tool: Analytical, Diurnal & Biological Variability
02:01:39 Patterns & Categories: Hydration, Inflammation
02:09:01 Intervene: Big Solutions, Direct Markers vs. Systemic Solutions
02:20:57 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Perform Newsletter, Social Media
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