Tason Turek, Dixie State University
A number of genes have been researched to determine their role in athletic performance. Some genes have been discovered to give a performance advantage in either power or endurance events. In order to find genetic association with athletic performance, we collected DNA from 200 Division III track athletes and determined their genotype for the following genes: ACE, ACTN3, NOS3, BMP2, PPARA, ACSL1, ACVR1B, GABPB1, BDKRB2. The genotypes of these athletes were analyzed to determine if one version of the gene was advantageous over another in both power and endurance events. Additionally, the genotypes were analyzed to see if combinations of the advantageous genotypes result in a further advantage over other combinations. By accomplishing these analyses, we look to take another step toward predicting the success of an athlete based off the individual’s genotype. We also aim to identify which genes will predispose an athlete to be most successful. By understanding how these genes coincide, athletes could then know which events they would be genetically predisposed for and thereby determine which events would give them the most success.