Athletes and physically active individuals may carry certain genetic predispositions that can lead to much more severe health complications than minor injuries—especially if they are involved in high-performance or competitive sports.
According to current scientific data, susceptibility factors in more than 2,000 genes are known to be associated with serious injuries and even the risk of sudden death.
Why Genetic Testing Matters in Sports
Researchers around the world are conducting studies to understand and prevent the causes of sports-related injuries and sudden deaths. Our knowledge of genetic risk factors responsible for injuries and sudden death in adults continues to grow rapidly. Many of these risk factors are associated with:
-
Cardiac muscle and rhythm disorders
-
Connective tissue diseases
-
Bleeding and clotting disorders
-
Immune system diseases
-
Neurological or metabolic disorders
While individuals with a personal or family history of these conditions are at greater risk, genetic risk factors can also be present in people without any prior symptoms or signs.
Genetic Screening: A Critical Step for Athlete Safety
For this reason, genetic screening has become increasingly important for both professional and amateur athletes who wish to engage in sports safely and healthily.
Thanks to advances in genetic technologies, it is now possible to easily diagnose gene mutations that may cause sudden death or serious injury during sports activities. Knowing one’s genetic predispositions has become a key step in ensuring athlete safety and well-being by enabling early preventive measures.
