Genetic Susceptibility to Sport-Related Muscle Injuries: Insights from the Literature and Novel Gene Candidates
Agata Leońska‐Duniec
Abstract
Physical activity is widely recognized for its health benefits; however, it also increases the risk of musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries, with muscle-related cases constituting a considerable proportion. These injuries impair well-being, athletic performance, and career longevity while creating substantial social and economic burdens. Their multifactorial etiology involves internal and external risk factors, and evidence suggests a heritable component influencing tissue integrity, recovery, and overall susceptibility. While genetic contributions to ligament and tendon damage are relatively established, knowledge regarding muscle injuries remains limited. This review critically summarizes current evidence on polymorphisms associated with sport-related muscle injury susceptibility. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified studies examining genetic markers in physically active individuals with documented muscle injuries. To date, 37 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 32 genes have been significantly linked to injury risk, recurrence, severity, and recovery. These genes cluster into categories involving muscle structure, growth and regeneration, metabolism, inflammatory and stress responses, membrane stability, signaling, and vascular regulation. By integrating available findings and outlining knowledge gaps, this review highlights promising directions for advancing personalized prevention and rehabilitation strategies in sports medicine.