The Football Gene Project

The focus of current genetic research in sport is on further understanding genotype-phenotype relationships. However, the majority of genetic research has centred on individual sports, which means there is currently a lack of studies on team sports such as football. Since sports vary in their contextual demands, it is likely there are also significant distinctions at the molecular level between athletes of different sports. As such, genetic associations with other sports cannot be generalised to a football-specific context and need to be investigated independently. Led by Dr Alex McAuley and Professor Adam L. Kelly, the overarching aim of this project is to investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms with football phenotypes.

Part One: Research Syntheses

The first part of this project synthesised existing genetic association research in football. This facilitated the identification of specific methodological limitations and gaps in this research field that could be addressed in subsequent experimental studies. For instance, there was little evaluation regarding the extent of genetic testing in football, as well as a lack of cross-sectional studies with youth cohorts investigating quantitative traits and development. Following an independent meta-analysis associations were shown between two genetic variants and athlete status. An additional narrative synthesis also found three genetic variants that may be associated with injury susceptibility.

Part Two: Experimental Investigations

The second part of this project involved conducting empirical research. The first experimental study assessed the prevalence of genetic testing in professional football, with only 10% of coaches, practitioners, and players reporting they had utilised genetic testing. Working in collaboration with Premier League and Football League academies, subsequent experimental studies examined the association of several polymorphisms with technical, psychological, physiological, age phase, and maturation phenotypes, in England academy football players. Significant associations were found between individual polymorphisms, polygenic profiles, and football phenotypes in all studies.

Part Three: Practical Implications

Current scientific evidence does not support the implementation of genetic tests to enhance the processes of talent identification and development systems. Regardless of this consensus, it appears likely that stakeholders will continue using genetic tests. An important next step for The Football Gene Project is to provide practitioners with some imperfect solutions in terms of the value of increased ‘genetic literacy’ (i.e., enhanced education/understanding of genetic information), promotion of ‘talent inclusion’ (i.e., using genetic tests to include or retain athletes rather than for de-selection and exclusion purposes), and a minimum set of best practice guidelines.

McAuley, A. B. T., Baker, J., Johnston, K., Varley, I., Herbert, A. J., Suraci, B., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., & Kelly, A. L. (2024). Talent inclusion: An imperfect solution to genetic testing in sport - Response to commentaries. Current Issues in Sport Science, 9(1), 002. https://doi.org/10.36950/2024.1ciss002

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Baker, J., Herbert, A. J., & Kelly, A. L. (2024). Genetic associations with acceleration, change of direction, jump height, and speed in English academy football players. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 38(2), 350-359. https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/abstract/9900/genetic_associations_with_acceleration,_change_of.306.aspx

McAuley, A. B. T., Varley, I., Herbert, A. J., Suraci, B., Baker, J., Johnston, K., & Kelly, A. L. (2023). Maturity-associated polygenic profiles of under 12–16-compared to under 17–23-year-old male English academy football players. Genes, 14(7), 1431. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14071431

McAuley, A. B. T., Baker, J., Johnston, K., Varley, I., Herbert, A. J., Suraci, B., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., & Kelly, A. L. (2023). Talent inclusion and genetic testing in sport: A practitioner’s guide. Current Issues in Sports Science, 8(1), 008. https://doi.org/10.36950/2023.1ciss008

McAuley, A. B. T., Baker, J., Suraci, B., & Kelly, A. L. (2023). Understanding the influence and application of genetics in soccer. In A. L. Kelly (Ed.), Talent identification and development in youth soccer: A guide for researchers and practitioners. Routledge. http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781032232799-14

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Baker, J., Herbert, A. J., & Kelly, A. L. (2022). Genetic variations between youth and professional development phase English academy football players. Genes, 13(11), 2001. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13112001

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Roos, T. R., Herbert, A. J., Jackson, D. T., & Kelly, A. L. (2022). A systematic review of the genetic predisposition to injury in football. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, 5(2), 97-115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-022-00187-9

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Baker, J., Herbert, A. J., & Kelly, A. L. (2022). Genetic associations with technical capabilities in English academy football players: A preliminary study. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 63(2), 230-240. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.22.13945-9

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Baker, J., Herbert, A. J., & Kelly, A. L. (2022). Genetic associations with personality and mental toughness profiles of English academy football players: An exploratory study. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 61, 102209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102209

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Roos, T. R., Herbert, A. J., & Kelly, A. L. (2022). Genetic testing in professional football: Perspectives of key stakeholders. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, 4(1), 49-59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-021-00131-3

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Roos, T. R., Herbert, A. J., & Kelly, A. L. (2021). The association of the ACTN3 R577X and ACE I/D polymorphisms with athlete status in football: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39(2), 200-211. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1812195

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Roos, T. R., Herbert, A. J., & Kelly, A. L. (2021). Genetic association research in football: A systematic review. European Journal of Sport Science, 21(5), 714-752. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2020.1776401

McAuley, A. B. T., Baker, J., & Kelly, A. L. (2021). How nature and nurture conspire to influence athletic success. In A. L. Kelly, J. Côté, M. Jeffreys, & J. Turnnidge (Eds.), Birth advantages and relative age effects in sport: Exploring organizational structures and creating appropriate settings (pp. 159-183). Routledge. http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003163572-13

Conference Proceedings and Related Articles

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Roos, T. R., Herbert, A. J., Jackson, D. T., & Kelly, A. L. (2021, September). A systematic review of the genetic predisposition to injury in football. Paper presented at the 26th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS). Abstract retrievable here: https://wp1191596.server-he.de/DATA/CONGRESSES/VIRTUAL_2021/DOCUMENTS/BOA_2021_Final_WEB.pdf

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Roos, T. R., Herbert, A. J., & Kelly, A. L. (2021, May). Genetic testing in professional football: Perspectives of key stakeholders. Paper presented virtually at the 9th Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network (ESAN) Conference. Abstract retrievable here: https://www.esannetwork.co.uk/uploads/1/2/2/3/122302783/9th_esan_conference__2021__book_of_abstracts.pdf

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Roos, T. R., Herbert, A. J., & Kelly, A. L. (2020, December). Soccer genomics: past, present, and future. Paper presented at the RESFEST Annual Conference, Birmingham City University, Birmingham.

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Roos, T. R., Herbert, A. J., & Kelly, A. L. (2020, November). The association of the ACTN3 R577X and ACE I/D polymorphisms with athlete status in football: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Paper presented virtually at the inaugural Exercise & Sport Science Australia (ESSA) Twitter Conference. Abstract retrievable here: https://www.essa.org.au/Public/ESSTC2020.aspx

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Roos, T. R., Herbert, A. J., & Kelly, A. L. (2020, October). Genetic association research in football: A systematic review. Paper presented virtually at the 25th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS). Abstract retrievable here: https://wp1191596.serverhe.de/DATA/CONGRESSES/VIRTUAL_2020/ABSTRACTS/ePosters_2020/uploads/ECSS_B OA_2020_Pub.pdf

McAuley, A. B. T., Hughes, D. C., Tsaprouni, L. G., Varley, I., Suraci, B., Roos, T. R., Herbert, A. J., & Kelly, A. L. (2020, August). The Football Gene Project: A multi-disciplinary investigation into the association of genetic polymorphisms with performance-related phenotypes in football. Paper presented at the Centre of Life and Sport Sciences (C-LaSS) Research Conference, Birmingham City University, Birmingham.

The Football Gene Project

References