Genetic Testing and Injury Response: Keeping People Active
Genetic predispositions can influence a person’s ability to exercise safely and effectively. Conveniently, genetic tests can inform them of many risk factors they carry, even some related to injury response.
DNA Testing for Injury Prevention
A Personal Trainer is always highly recommended. Injury risk is an important factor in physical activity. When you understand risk factors, you can design the most optimal plan. Lifestyle genetic testing provides information on weight loss ability, exercise response, nutrition utilization, and recovery needs.
Genetic testing for injury prevention becomes advantageous at 30 years or older. Age 30 is generally the peak of bone density, then bone breakdown rapidly increases. Musculoskeletal injuries start to arise at a faster rate through physical activity and exercise. Females remain at a higher risk for injury. Thinner and more brittle bones paired with certain hormonal reactions increase their chance for osteoporosis.
Genetics play a role in governing concussion risk in athletes as well. Certain genes assist in repairing the brain, nerve cells, uptake of nutrients and deposit of nutrients. Genomics provide biomarkers for risk of concussion and recovery rate. This helps tailor programs to inflammatory responses. It enables your Trainer to design a recovery program.
Some people suffer more than others when it comes to recovery. Each person experiences different levels of muscle soreness. There is a role genes play in DOMS.
How Genes Impact Athletic Injury Response
Genetic factors that contribute to athletic injury response include the following:
Levels of muscle mass and muscle fiber type
Oxygen and insulin utilization
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Mental and physical foundations
Genetic testing provides information on systemic inflammation, injury risk, and sleep needs for athletes. When applied to programming, these factors determine the type of warm-ups and cool downs needed. They also help allot the correct amount of rest days.
Genes like ACE and ACTN3 influence physical performance phenotypes. These genes relate to how injuries occur in the body. Understanding these genes helps you determine the right activities for you to excel.
Some of the most common athletic injuries include ACL tears, ankle sprains, concussions, and shoulder injuries. Concussions, including spinal cord concussions, occur most often in contact sports. Compression on the spinal cord results in brain injury where the cervical cord becomes impaired. Traumatic brain injury can be a result of repetitive brain injury or spinal cord concussions. Most injuries result in soft tissue being damaged.
Proteins and growth factors determined by genes drive the repair process for injuries. A sequence of DNA referred to as SNP, or single-nucleotide polymorphism, gives insight on a person’s recovery abilities. This sequence is different for each person, which is why some athletes recover more quickly than others.
Genetic testing helps determine mutations people have. This helps you prepare if you are more prone to a certain disease or injury. Gene therapy is an approach to replacing mutated genes or altering them to prevent anything worse.
How to Use Genetic Testing to Improve Injury Response
Testing genes helps people address major health risks including bone strength. Genes tested regarding bone mineral density are:
SPTBN1
MEPE
SLC25A13
LRP5
Examining these genes helps you determine a person’s bone mineral density and risk of bone fracture.
If a person presents a “normal” genotype, then bone fracture risk and mineral density is average. They are not at a high risk for fracturing bones. This excludes them from having to focus solely on strength training.
An “above average” genotype, tells us a person is at a higher risk for fractures. If a person is below the average bone mineral density, they need to focus more on strength building exercises.
Pay close attention to exercise response. Do more than just average.
High risk for stress fractures and bone breaks comes with an “above average” genotype. Those who are at a high risk can experience life-threatening issues.
Information like this helps you identify dietary and lifestyle factors that can help or hurt a one’s goals. Lifestyle adjustments are part of an effective treatment plan.
4 Coaching Guidelines for Genotype Results
Ensure you receive adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D
Ensure you consume high amounts of protein
Implement the correct amount of exercise to strengthen and protect the body
Include resistance training to build stronger muscle and bone
Avoid treatment plans that include high-impact exercise, alcohol consumption and short warm-ups. Weak bones force the body to use ligaments and tendons. You want to use the muscle system as much as possible.
The goal is to keep out of pain and in good health. Utilize the right treatment based on genetic results. Aim to keep from having to rely on clinical medicine. Clinical settings are daunting, so being able to get results and solutions through genetic testing goes a long way.
Pros and Cons of Using Genetic Testing to Improve Injury Response
The biggest advantage genetic testing provides us is knowing each persons ability to bounce back. Athletic ability to recover is one of the most important aspects when discussing genetic testing to improve injury response. Injury is inevitable and happens to everyone in some form. Become equipped and prepared to help yourself recover quickly and effectively.
Preemptive genetic testing is a popular topic in genomic medicine. A routine doctor’s checkup consists of monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and other tests. Preemptive genetic testing can help determine genetic risk factors if incorporated into the checkups. This helps people become proactive instead of reactive.
Genetic testing does not predict an athlete's future success. However, it can help people reach their genetic potential. This can happen through the development of proactive injury prevention and recovery techniques.
Reference:
ISSA
https://www.issaonline.com/blog/index.cfm/2020/genetic-testing-and-injury-response-keeping-clients-active