Assessing the Impact of Genetic Testing on Diet and Athletic Performance: A Survey on Personalized Nutrition

Abstract

Genetic testing has emerged as a tool for personalizing nutrition and athletic training by identifying individual genetic variations that influence metabolism, nutrient absorption, and physical performance. However, its effectiveness in optimizing athletic outcomes remains debated. This study aims to assess the impact of genetic testing on athletes’ dietary habits, digestion, body composition, and performance, exploring the perceived benefits of personalized nutrition in sports. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 448 athletes in Saudi Arabia, spanning various sports disciplines and competitive levels. The survey measured athletes’ perceptions of genetic testing’s impact on diet and performance using Likert-scale questions. The results indicate that the athletes moderately agreed that genetic testing influenced their dietary adjustments (mean = 3.69), with improved digestion and nutrient absorption being the most positively perceived outcome (mean = 4.01). However, the perceived impact on tailored diets was lower (mean = 2.95), and recovery time showed minimal
improvement (mean = 2.92). Significant gender differences were observed in digestion (p = .0086) and body composition changes (p < .0001), with males reporting greater improvements. Athletes in artistic sports reported the most significant changes in body composition (mean = 4.36, p = .0005), while professionals had the highest perceived benefit from personalized diets (mean = 4.40, p < .0001). In conclusion, genetic testing shows promise in enhancing athletes’ nutrition and performance, particularly in digestion and body composition. However, its impact remains limited in areas like recovery, highlighting the need for a holistic approach integrating genetic data with broader training and lifestyle strategies.