Sports Genetics & Performance Consultation

MCP's sports genetics programme gives athletes and parents a genetic roadmap for performance optimisation and injury prevention. DNA analysis reveals muscle fibre composition (endurance vs power predisposition), VO2 max genetic potential, recovery capacity, cardiac risk genes, hormonal response to training load, and mental resilience markers. The assessment covers both positive predispositions to guide sport selection and negative risk factors — including cardiac arrhythmia genes that pose a danger at extreme training loads. Available for individual athletes and sports teams or clubs.

Performance genetics is becoming standard practice in elite sport, and MCP offers this assessment to individual athletes, junior athletes (with parents), and sports clubs seeking population-level screening of their squads. The sports genetics consultation is led by MUDr. Radek Klubal (immunology, health risk assessment) and MUDr. Silvie Růžičková (clinical genetics), in collaboration with Ing. Silvia Illýová (sports nutrition). The programme integrates DNA analysis with physiological markers and nutritional profiling. **Genetic analysis domains:** *Physical predisposition:* - **ACTN3 (R577X)** — the 'speed gene' distinguishing fast-twitch (power/sprint) vs slow-twitch (endurance) muscle fibre dominance - **ACE I/D** — cardiovascular efficiency and VO2 max potential (I allele associated with endurance advantage, D allele with power sports) - **PPARGC1A** — mitochondrial biogenesis gene, critical for aerobic capacity development - **PPARA, PPARD** — fat metabolism efficiency in endurance events *Injury and recovery risk:* - **COL1A1, COL5A1** — collagen gene variants affecting tendon/ligament injury susceptibility - **MMP3** — matrix metalloproteinase involved in connective tissue injury and repair rate - **IL6, TNF-α** — inflammatory response genes affecting recovery time between sessions - **IGF1** — growth factor response to resistance training *Cardiac safety (critical for high-intensity sport):* - **SCN5A** — sodium channel gene; certain variants are associated with Brugada syndrome and sudden cardiac death risk - **KCNQ1, KCNH2** — potassium channel genes; long QT syndrome predisposition, relevant for endurance athletes - **MYH7, MYBPC3** — hypertrophic cardiomyopathy risk (the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes) *Hormonal and metabolic:* - **COMT** — catecholamine metabolism (stress response, mental performance under pressure) - **NR3C1** — glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity (cortisol response to training stress) - **MTHFR** — folate/homocysteine, relevant for recovery nutrition The consultation concludes with a written sport-specific report: which sports best match the athlete's genetic architecture, optimal training periodisation, recovery nutrition protocols (supported by Ing. Illýová's expertise), and risk management strategies for identified negative variants. For sports clubs, MCP offers group consultation packages covering the whole squad — identifying ideal positions, injury-prone individuals for additional support, and cardiac risk cases requiring further cardiology review.