20 Apr Matching Genotype to Training Program Improves Performance

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Nicholas Jones BSc (Hons) MSc ISAK CSCS ASCC
DNA Sports Performance Ltd Director

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Coaches and trainers all know that individuals can respond differently to the same stimulus. One person may be a super responder to X training method, another may be a none-responder to the very same training method. The reasons for this have never been fully explained, however genetics have been discussed and thought to play a role for some time.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: At the beginning of the eight weeks of training, the participants were set two fitness tests to measure their power and endurance. Power was measured by a countermovement jump (CMJ) and endurance by an aerobic three minute cycle test (known as Aero3).

After eight weeks, those whose training had been matched to their genes improved their CMJ power test of 7.4% compared to just a 2.6% increase in the mismatched group. In the cycle endurance test, those who trained to their genetic strengths saw an average 6.2% improvement compared to 2.3% for the mismatched group.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Response: By undertaking genotype-matched training, power and endurance performance are improved almost three times more.

82% of the participants who showed little or no improvement were from the mismatched group while 83% of those who improved the most were from the genetically matched group.

Matched genotype training improved the likelihood of significant improvement by 21 times in the CMJ and 28.5 times in the cycle test, compared with those on mismatched programmes.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Currently we are undertaking more research into the use of genetic based training. We will still carry on research resistance training but will also look at other modes of training such as high intensity interval train.  It would also be recommended that researchers start to report the genetic make up of their subjects in training studies as we can now say this significantly impacts the findings.

Citation:

The study – ‘A genetic-based algorithm for personalized resistance training’ – at http://biolsport.com/text.php?ids=101125

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Last Updated on April 20, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD