Introduction Sports genomics and the use of genetic molecular techniques made an important contribution to the discovery of genetic associations with sports performance traits such as endurance, power, strength and the response to exercise and training. Hundreds of genes influence sport performance traits and condition the status of elite athletes [1, 2]]. The purpose of this study is to highlight the importance and contribution of these techniques in the discovery of genetic associations with general performance traits and those important in specific sports disciplines. Methods Publications of the last 10 years were searched in the main academic platforms using specific keywords strictly related to the focus of this review. Out of 67 publications collected, 31 full-text articles were selected, as more recent and focused on genetic associations with sport traits. Results The discovery of a high number of genetic polymorphisms associated with sport performance traits in the last ten years, happened also due to the introduction and effective use of the advanced molecular tools [1]. Powerful techniques such as the TGS, NGS, GWAS and others, have advanced the study of molecular genetic variants, responsible for pathways and systems associated with the elite athletes` performance and training adaptation [2, 3]. Nowadays, the total number of DNA polymorphisms reported as associated with athlete status exceeded 220, while 100 found significantly related to endurance, power and strength and 30 to sport injuries and muscle recovery [1, 3]. Conclusion The results highlight the importance and power of molecular techniques in discovering the genes` polymorphisms linked to sports performance traits in sport and characteristics related with endurance and power traits in particular in elite athletes. However, the use of the genetic variants associated to traits necessary for talent identification remains a challenging issue.
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