| A Review of The Impact of Genetic and Epigenetic Interactions in Regulating Metabolism and Determining Nutritional Needs of Intelligent and Brain-Active Athletes: Molecular Mechanisms and Functional Consequences |
| Paper ID : 1024-SPORTCONGRESS (R1) |
| Authors |
|
Mohamadhasan Safari * ایران اردبیل دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی دانشکده علوم پایه |
| Abstract |
| This systematic review aimed to investigate the complex interplay between genetics, epigenetics, and nutrition in shaping metabolic regulation and athletic performance. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for articles published between 2022 and 2025 in both English and Persian. Keywords included epigenetics, sports genomics, nutrigenomics, personalized nutrition, and metabolic disorders. Eligible studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and quality was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist. Out of 69 initially identified articles, 14 high-quality studies were included for detailed analysis. Findings revealed that genetic and epigenetic mechanisms play critical roles in determining athletes’ metabolic responses, nutritional needs, and susceptibility to both performance optimization and metabolic disorders. Diet composition, nutrient timing, and personalized nutrition strategies were shown to modulate epigenetic markers such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA expression, thereby influencing gene regulation. Moreover, exercise itself emerged as a potent epigenetic modulator, capable of enhancing metabolic homeostasis and reducing the risk of insulin resistance. Combined interventions involving targeted dietary strategies and structured training programs were consistently associated with improved performance outcomes, enhanced recovery, and reduced vulnerability to metabolic dysfunction. In addition, novel approaches such as gut microbiota–focused nutrition, miRNA-based biomarkers, and genomics-driven dietary personalization highlighted the potential of precision nutrition in elite sports. Despite the promising insights, challenges such as interindividual variability, limited access to full-text studies, and reliance on secondary datasets remain obstacles. Overall, this review underscores the necessity of integrating genomics, epigenetics, and nutrition into a cohesive framework to advance personalized strategies for optimizing athlete health and performance. |
| Keywords |
| Sports Genomics, Epigenetics in Athletics, Personalized Nutrition, Metabolic Regulation, Elite Athlete Performance |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
