Since the landmark discovery of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953 (33) to the current undertakings of the Human Genome Project (7), the impact of advancements in molecular biology and genetics have been significant, including in the field of exercise science. More specifically, these advancements now allow exercise and health science researchers to investigate the molecular and genetic basis of physical performance, acute and chronic responses to exercise, and the associations between physical activity, health, and disease states. The main purpose of this article is to raise the attention of pediatric exercise scientists to the study of genetics and physical activity by providing a brief commentary on some general aspects of human genetics and a review of available studies that include children and adolescents.
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