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Millions of people around the world are spitting into bottles in the hope of learning more about their genes. But they’re not just looking for information about their ancestors.
People are increasingly interested in studying how their genes affect their health, nutrition, fitness potential and risk of injury.
The global market for these direct-to-consumer genetic tests is expected to skyrocket over the next few years, growing from $1.9 billion in 2023 to $8.8 billion in 2030, according to a market analysis report by Grand View Research. The analysis shows that although Europe is expected to become the fastest growing market over the next six years, North Americans lead the way with 60.5% of the market share.
In 2013, approximately 20 companies offered direct-to-consumer genetic testing targeting sports performance and injury risk; that number rose to nearly 70 in 2019, according to a study review. Additionally, a study published in the Indian Journal of Orthopedics in 2020 reported that Uzbekistan and China used genetic testing in their programs to identify Olympic talent, while Australian National Rugby League players used DNA tests to tailor their training to sprinting or explosive powerlifting.
Despite all the buzz, many researchers have said there is a lot of hype and little solid science behind these tests. One such skeptic is Dr. D., a professor at the law school and school of public health at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Timothy Caulfield.
“I have been following this area since the late 1990s and there has been no significant progress,” Caulfield said.
excitement at first
There was great excitement about genetic testing when scientists discovered the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Women with mutations in any of these genes were found to have a 60% to 80% lifetime risk of breast cancer. Additionally, a mutation in BRCA1 carried a 40% to 50% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, while a mutation in BRCA2 carried a 10% to 20% lifetime risk.
“There was hope that we would find many genes like these that were highly predictive and that you could take steps to make a difference in your health,” Caulfield said. “But it didn’t actually turn out that way.”
Instead, he said, scientists are discovering that how our genes work is a complex topic, especially as it relates to fitness and sports. Caulfield, for example, took a genetic test that showed he was unlikely to succeed in the sprint. Yet he was skilled at the sport; He was competing throughout his childhood and college years.
“There is no doubt that genes are important, but the question is how much?” Caulfield said. “Even when you look at Olympic-level long jumpers, who require extremely explosive movements, not all of them have the sprint gene. “If it really mattered, they should all have it.”
Indeed, scientists say there are many additional factors when it comes to athletic ability and success, such as diet, sleep, training, motivation, socioeconomic background and even in-utero experiences. Likewise, there are countless variables when it comes to your risk of injury.
Another concern of researchers is the scientific validity behind these tests. D., an assistant professor of nutrition and chronic diseases at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. Dylan MacKay said that while accuracy is probably good in terms of actual genetic testing, the science behind how companies interpret the results can be problematic. .
“These tests are often based on associations, not randomized, controlled studies looking for causal effect,” MacKay said. “For example, watermelon consumption is associated with drowning because more people swim during the season when they eat watermelon. But this is just an association.”
The advice companies give based on your test results is also often vague or standard. Caulfield’s results showed he was at risk for certain cardiovascular problems and cancers.
“What was my personal advice for staying healthy? Eat well, exercise regularly, don’t smoke, drink in moderation,” Caulfield said.
Still some wonder
Despite these problems, DNA compatibility tests continue to attract the attention of many people. 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 testing, to help customers get better results from their workouts.
Although the tests don’t provide definitive instructions for getting fitter, Maier said he believes they can be helpful. One of his clients was trying to build muscle by lifting heavier weights with fewer repetitions. Test results showed that his muscle type would do better with higher volume workouts, so Maier switched to lifting lighter weights with more reps. Within a month or two the client began to see the desired muscle gains.
These tests can also help you distinguish your strengths and weaknesses so you can overcome them, Maier said.
“You may not 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 it.”
Maier said he thinks there is a lot of potential in this area as well.
“Our DNA is not changing, but science and knowledge are and will continue to change,” Maier said.
Time and further scientific advances may shed more light on whether DNA compatibility tests are or could be useful. But MacKay remains suspicious.
“I’ve been in this field for a long time, and while genetic testing is getting better and better, there are no groundbreaking new findings,” he said.
Caulfield said he hopes parents don’t use these tests to pressure their children into or away from a particular sport or activity.
“Genes are not the determinant of whether you will like a sport or be good at it,” he said. “You should do what you love and not let these genetic tests make things more complicated than they need to be.”
Melanie Radzicki McManus is a freelance writer specializing in hiking, travel and fitness.
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