Gandhinagar, Aug 28: Gujarat has taken a new step towards bringing science and technology closer to sport with the launch of a state-level sports genomics programme aimed at understanding the biological and performance traits of athletes.
The initiative, led by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) under the Department of Science and Technology, will combine genetic research with conventional sports science to support talent identification, training and athlete development.
The programme has already started collecting samples from athletes. Tennis players associated with the Gujarat State Tennis Association were among the first participants, while athletes from archery, fencing, judo and shooting are expected to be covered in the next phase. The state plans to collect around 2,000 samples during the first year, with the larger research programme expected to build a database of about 10,000 samples over five years.
The initiative comes at a significant time for Gujarat, which is preparing for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The state hopes that a stronger scientific approach to identifying and nurturing sporting talent will help promising athletes receive better support as they progress towards national and international competition.
Sports genomics looks at how genetic differences may be linked to characteristics such as endurance, muscle composition, strength, metabolism, recovery and response to physical activity. Researchers can use this information alongside fitness tests, performance records and medical assessments to develop a more complete understanding of an athlete.
One of the main potential benefits is personalised training. Athletes do not always respond to the same exercise programme in the same way. Combining biological information with performance data could help sports scientists and coaches better understand individual responses to training and recovery, potentially allowing programmes to be adjusted to suit an athlete’s needs.
The research may also contribute to injury prevention and rehabilitation. Studying biological factors associated with exercise response and injury susceptibility could help researchers explore ways of reducing risks and improving recovery. Nutrition is another area of interest, with the programme also looking at nutrigenomics and how individual biological differences may influence responses to diet and nutrients.
The planned Gujarat Athlete Genome Database could become an important research resource by bringing together genetic, physiological and performance information from athletes across different disciplines and age groups. Researchers could use the data to study patterns among athletes and improve understanding of the factors that contribute to high-level performance.
The programme is expected to cover a broad range of sports, including athletics, swimming, boxing, wrestling, judo, taekwondo, gymnastics, fencing, football, hockey, badminton, tennis, kabaddi, archery and shooting, among others.
At the same time, experts involved in the initiative have emphasised that DNA cannot determine whether an athlete will become a champion. Sporting success is shaped by a combination of genetics and many other factors, including quality of coaching, training, nutrition, recovery, mental preparation, facilities and the environment in which an athlete develops.
This makes the programme less about finding a single “champion gene” and more about adding another layer of scientific information to the way athletes are assessed and supported.
Gujarat also plans to use its biotechnology capabilities to strengthen sports-related research. The GBRC has advanced sequencing and computing facilities that can support genomic analysis and the interpretation of large volumes of biological data.
Because genetic information is highly sensitive, responsible data management will be essential as the programme expands. The initiative is expected to place emphasis on informed consent, secure storage, controlled access and measures to protect the identities of participating athletes.
If carefully implemented, Gujarat’s sports genomics programme could create a new bridge between biotechnology and elite sport. By combining genetic research with coaching, sports medicine, nutrition and performance science, the state aims to develop a more evidence-based approach to identifying talent and helping athletes perform at their best.