As reported by the BBC, Scientists behind Olympic Team GB are working on genetic tests to understand why some athletes are prone to injury
Scientists at the Institute for Human Health and Performance at University College London are currently researching how and why tendon injuries and stress fractures occur as they are common in elite athletes
University College London’s Prof Hugh Montgomery says they have found a gene they think strongly influences the risk of stress fracture…….If we understood that genetic component we would have a much better understanding of the patho-physiology – the disease processes that let that happen”
The study has been working with the English Institute of Sport (EIS), which aims to apply the latest in sports science and medicine for the benefit of Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
EIS’s Director of Sport Science, Dr Ken van Someren said “If we can identify some particular genes that are associated with a higher risk of injury in certain individuals, and we think we’re close, we can tailor the training, conditioning and preparation that we put those individuals through.”
