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Millions of people around the globe are throwing in vials in the hope of learning more about their genes. But they are not just looking for information about their ancestors.
Increasingly, people are interested in exploring how their genes may be affecting their health, nutrition, fitness potential and risk of injury.
The global market for these direct-to-consumer genetic tests is expected to rise over the next few years, increasing from $1.9 billion in 2023 to $8.8 billion by 2030, according to a market analysis report from Grand View Research. North Americans are at the forefront, with 60.5% of the market share, although Europe is expected to be the fastest growing market in the next six years, the analysis shows.
In 2013, there were about 20 companies offering direct-to-consumer genetic tests focused on sports performance and injury risk—a number that rose to about 70 by 2019, according to one study review. Additionally, a 2020 study published in the Indian Journal of Orthopedics reported that Uzbekistan and China are using genetic testing in their Olympic talent identification programs, and Australian National Rugby League players are using DNA tests to tailor their workouts for sprinting or explosive powerlifting.
Despite all this, many researchers have said that there is too much hype and too little solid science behind the tests. One such skeptic is Dr. Timothy Caulfield, a professor in the faculty of law and school of public health at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
“I’ve been following this field since the late 1990s, and the progress has been nothing short of remarkable,” Caulfield said.
Excitement first
There was a lot of excitement about genetic testing when scientists discovered the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Women with mutations in either of these genes were found to have a 60% to 80% lifetime risk of breast cancer. In addition, a mutation in BRCA1 meant a 40% to 50% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, while a mutation in BRCA2 had a 10% to 20% lifetime risk.
“The hope was that we would find a lot of genes like this that would be very predictive, and where you could take steps to make a difference in your health,” Caulfield said. “But it really hasn’t panned out like that.”
Instead, he said, scientists have discovered that the way our genes work is a complex matter, especially when it comes to fitness and sports. Caulfield took a genetic test, for example, which showed that he was unlikely to excel at sprinting. But he was talented in sports, competing throughout his youth and college.
“There is no doubt that genes are important, but the question is how much?” Caulfield said. “Even when you look at long jumps at the Olympic level, which require very explosive movements, they don’t have the sprinting gene at all. If it was important, they would all have to have it.”
In fact, scientists say that there are so many additional factors when it comes to sporting talent and success, such as diet, sleep, training, motivation, socio-economic background and even in utero experiences. Likewise, there are countless variables when it comes to your risk of injury.
Another concern among researchers is the scientific validity of these tests. While the accuracy in terms of the actual genetic testing is probably good, the science behind how the companies are interpreting the results can be problematic, said Dr. Dylan MacKay, assistant professor of nutrition. and chronic disease at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. .
“Often these tests are based on associations, not randomized, controlled trials looking for a causal effect,” MacKay said. “For example, watermelon consumption is related to swimming – because more people swim in the same season as they eat watermelons. But that’s just an association.”
The advice companies give based on your test results is also often vague or standard. Caulfield’s results indicated that he was at risk of certain cardiovascular problems and cancer.
“What was my personalized advice to stay healthy? Eat well, exercise regularly, don’t smoke, drink in moderation,” Caulfield said.
Still, some are intrigued
Despite these questions, DNA fitness tests are still very testable. One such person is Devin Maier, co-owner of Balance Gym in Washington, DC. Balance Gym recently partnered with FitnessGenes, a UK-based company that sells genetic tests, to help its clients get better results from their workouts.
While the tests don’t give exact directions for becoming more fit, Maier said he believes they can be helpful. One of his clients wanted to build muscle by lifting heavier weights, but with fewer reps. The results of his tests showed that his muscle type would improve with higher training, so Maier switched to lifting lighter weights with more reps. Within a month or two, the client was seeing the desired muscle gains.
These tests can also help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, Maier said, so you can address them.
“Maybe you don’t have the genes to be a good endurance athlete,” he said, “but if you want to run a marathon, we can help you train better so you can do that. “
Maier said he thinks the park also has a lot of potential.
“Our DNA is not changing, but science and intelligence are, and will continue to do so,” Maier said.
Time, and further scientific progress, may shed more light on whether DNA fitness tests are, or can be, useful. But MacKay remains skeptical.
“I’ve been in this field for a long time, and while genetic testing is getting better and better, there are no groundbreaking results,” he said.
Caulfield said he hopes parents won’t use these tests to force their child into or out of a particular sport or activity.
“Genes don’t determine whether you’ll like a sport or be good at it,” he said. “You should do what you love, and don’t let these genetic tests make it more complicated than it needs to be.”
Melanie Radzicki McManus is a freelance writer specializing in hiking, travel and fitness.
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