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CASE REPORT article
Front. Genet.
Sec. Human and Medical Genomics
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fgene.2025.1544178
Genomic information in the decision-making process for the training of a high-performance Brazilian swimmer: A Case Report
Provisionally accepted
Ricardo Muller Bottura 1*
Daniel Blasioli Dentillo 2- 1 University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- 2 DGLab, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
Although numerous genetic variations have been associated with athletic profiles and performance, there is limited research on the real-world application of genetic insights in elite athlete training. The aim of this study is to present our one-year training experience with a high-performing open water marathon swimmer, integrating genomic-based decision-making into training interventions. This case study involves a 23-year-old elite open water marathon swimmer whose primary goal was to qualify for the Absolute World Championships in 2024. The athlete had a consistent competitive history but sought optimized training strategies to enhance performance and secure a top position in national and international competitions. To personalize the training plan, twenty genetic polymorphisms were analyzed, guiding adjustments in strength training periodization and endurance capacity development. The interventions included tailored regimens aligned with the athlete's genetic predispositions, aiming to maximize physiological responses, recovery, and performance. Additionally, longitudinal monitoring of training load was conducted to assess adaptation and optimize workload distribution. The outcome was an improvement in athletic performance, highlighted by a top finish among compatriots and qualification for the Absolute World Championships. This case report demonstrates that genetic-based training, when integrated with structured load monitoring, can be an effective strategy to assist sports professionals in planning and optimizing training for high-performance athletes. This approach enhances precision in training interventions, providing valuable support for decision-making in elite sports preparation.
Keywords: genetics1, swimming2, High-Performance3, strength training4, Case report5
Received: 12 Dec 2024; Accepted: 03 Apr 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Bottura and Dentillo. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Ricardo Muller Bottura, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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