This chapter contains sections titled: - Background on the genetics of endurance, - Genetic markers for endurance performance, - Future research and practical implications, - References A body of literature indicates that genes play an important role in the determination of endurance performance. Here, we summarize the important papers and findings, focusing on the genes and markers that were found to be significantly associated with endurance performance and were either replicated in independent studies or were generated from large, robust cohorts. The current review is organized by study type: (i) case-control studies; (ii) cross-sectional association studies; (iii) association studies with training response phenotypes; and (iv) linkage studies. Taking into account the progression we have had in the last 20 years, we can foresee a much more definite picture of the genetic elements influencing aerobic performance phenotypes and trainability in the next decade. However, based on existing data, we have to conclude that the overall picture of genes involved in endurance performance as a target phenotype is not very sharp. In contrast to past thinking that perhaps only a dozen genes or fewer were involved, the current understanding is that a high number of genes are involved.
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