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Commercial genetic testing designed to reveal athletic potential for sports is being called meaningless by a group of experts, who also warn about confidentiality risks.

The 22 experts from the fields of genomics, sports and exercise looked at direct-to-consumer genetic tests marketed online related to athletic talent and the published scientific evidence on the tests.

The tests are aimed at individuals, coaches, parents, athletes and sports teams. Anyone who pays the cost and sends a sample of saliva, for example, can request a test.  

Claims for the genetic tests suggest that they:

  • Give parents and coaches early information on a child's genetic predisposition for success in team or individual speed/power or endurance sports.
  • Reveal how genes contribute to athletic traits.
  • Use the DNA results to help subjects lose fat, get lean, build muscle, get fitter.

Independent studies have identified issues relating to quality control, including different results being reported from samples from the same individual, the experts said.

"Based on the published scientific evidence, the information provided by [the consumer tests] is virtually meaningless for prediction and/or optimization of sport performance," Dr...