The aims of this research were to identify the relationships between the Total Genotype
Score (TGS) and total competition time, as well as the total and relative distances
covered during competition at different speed thresholds and to examine the probability
of being a starter or non-starter based on TGS. A prospective pilot study was conducted
with 34 professional male football players competing in the Spanish second division
across three consecutive seasons. DNA samples were genotyped for six muscle performance-related
polymorphisms, and TGS values were calculated. The total competition time and competition
distances at different speed thresholds were evaluated. A TGS threshold of 75.0 a.u.
discriminated starters with an AUC of 0.689. Players with higher TGS scores (TGS>75.0)
accumulated more matches played (p=0.002), more matches as starters (p=0.009), greater
playing time (p=0.009), and higher total distances covered (p=0.009). Players above
this threshold were five times more likely to be starters (OR=5.00; 95% CI: 1.31–19.07;
p=0.030). TGS was related with the number of matches played (β=1.088, p=0.006) matches
as starter (β=1.087, p=0.004), playing time (β=28.1, p=0.018), and distance covered
during season (β=3116, p=0.01). Genetic profiling is associated with starter status.
Integrating genetic and GPS data provides a novel approach to player development and
talent identification in elite sports.
