Author(s): MCLAREN, A., ROBERTS, L., BELLINGER, P., OSBORNE, M., KENNEDY, B., LEIVENS, E., DERAVE, W., JANG, C., BULLOCK, N., PRETORIUS, C., MCWHINNEY, B., NEUMANN, D., MINAHAN, C., Institution: GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY, Country: AUSTRALIA, Abstract-ID: 784

INTRODUCTION:
Athlete profiling is widely used in elite sport and commonly focuses on physical, physiological and psychological characteristics; however, this method of profiling can be limited due to modifiable factors such as health and training status, stage of maturation and task familiarity [1]. Alternatively, 65% of athlete performance is influenced by inherited traits and therefore profiling these traits may provide a more accurate assessment of performance potential [2]. This study aimed to profile ‘inHERitABLE TRAITS’ (i.e., muscle fibre typology; MFT, sex hormones and personality attributes) in a group of elite female sprint kayakers.
METHODS:
Fourteen female sprint kayakers (KAY; international – world class status) and 64 recreationally active women (CON) were recruited. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to estimate MFT in the upper and lower body. The concentration of sex hormones was determined following the collection of a venous blood sample. Personality attributes which have been previously correlated with sex hormones (i.e., competitiveness and willingness to take risks) were determined. Strength and K1 500-m event performances were also recorded to assess the interaction of ‘inHERitABLE TRAITS’ with performance metrics.
RESULTS:
KAY were estimated to have a significantly greater proportion of type II fibres in the lower body (p=0.020) than the CON. Although MFT was not related to strength or K1 500-m performance, the most successful athletes in the 200 and 1000-m events possessed the most extreme MFT. There was no significant difference in hormonal profiles between KAY and the CON, however athletes who displayed an irregular menstrual cycle (>35-d) had significantly lower concentrations of sex hormones (p>0.05). Some sex hormones, most notably free testosterone, were significantly related to strength metrics (p>0.05). KAY reported a significantly higher enjoyment of sport experiences such as competition, risk taking and making progress (p=0.016). In these athletes’ willingness to take risks and consistency of interest were significantly related to some sex hormones (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Despite there being no single inherent physiological profile for a successful female KAY, inHERitABLE TRAITS may be useful for performance support staff in predicting performance potential in a certain event and individualising training approaches for each athlete.
1.Wattie and Baker. (2018); 2. Lippi et al. (2010)