AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTS OF BLOOD GENOTYPE ON ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: A STUDY OF 100-METER SPRINTERS AND BASKETBALL ATHLETES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/ymtmmm79Keywords:
Blood genotype, athletic performance, 100-meter sprinters, basketball athletes, endurance.Abstract
This study investigated the effects of blood genotype on athletic performance among 100-meter sprinters and basketball athletes in selected sports clubs within Delta and Edo States, Nigeria. The research sought to determine whether variations in blood genotype (AA, AS, SS, and AC) significantly influence endurance, speed, agility, and recovery rate during athletic activities. Four research questions and four hypotheses guided the study, focusing on identifying significant differences in physical performance indicators among athletes of different genotypes. A descriptive survey design was adopted, utilizing a purposive sampling technique to select 120 athletes (60 sprinters and 60 basketball players). Data were collected using a standardized athletic performance test battery and a validated physiological assessment questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Analysis of Variance and t-test) at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that blood genotype had a statistically significant effect on certain performance variables such as stamina and post-exercise recovery rate, with AA athletes generally exhibiting higher endurance levels compared to AS and SS athletes. However, no significant difference was observed in agility and speed across genotypes, suggesting that genetic composition might influence endurance and recovery more than explosive power. The study concludes that understanding blood genotype differences can aid coaches and sports health professionals in athlete selection, training load design, and personalized conditioning programs. It recommends genotype screening and tailored performance monitoring for enhanced sports performance and injury prevention.
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Acknowledgments
The authors sincerely acknowledge the contributions of all individuals and institutions that supported this study. We extend our gratitude to our colleagues, mentors, and the participants who provided valuable insights and cooperation throughout the research process. The authors also thank the administrative and technical staff of our respective institutions for their assistance in facilitating data collection and manuscript preparation.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Manuscript Preparation
This manuscript was prepared with the support of ChatGPT (GPT 5 mini, OpenAI), which was used solely to assist with language refinement, clarity, and grammatical editing. All intellectual content, data interpretation, and conclusions presented in the manuscript were developed by the authors. AI tools were not used for data analysis, literature review selection, or generation of original research content.
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