How Genes and Lifestyle Shape Sports Injuries

Sports injuries are a big deal for athletes. They can happen to anyone, but some people might be more likely to get hurt than others. This is where genes and other factors come into play. Certain genes, like ACE, ACTN3, AMPD1, VDR, and APOE, can make someone more likely to get injured. But it's not just about genes. Tiny molecules called microRNAs, like miR-21, miR-133a, miR-208a, and miR-214, also play a role. These microRNAs can affect how muscles heal, how the body reacts to injury, and even how the brain protects itself. They can be influenced by things like exercise and training. This makes them a hot topic for research, as they could help predict who might get hurt and how well they might recover. Researchers have been looking into this topic. They searched through lots of studies to find out more. But there are some challenges. The studies often have small groups of people, and the results might not apply to everyone. Also, there are ethical questions about using genetic information in sports. In the future, combining different types of data might help create personalized plans to prevent injuries and help athletes recover better.