Journal of Sports Medicine & Doping Studies

Genome-wide Association Study on Exercise Addiction in Elite Wrestlers

Abstract

Calix Andre

Exercise addiction is a behavioral phenomenon characterized by an uncontrollable urge to engage in physical activity despite potential negative consequences. Among elite athletes, particularly wrestlers, the drive for peak performance and rigorous training schedules may increase susceptibility to exercise addiction. A Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) aims to identify genetic variants associated with exercise addiction in elite wrestlers, providing insights into the biological mechanisms underlying this condition. Genetic factors are increasingly recognized as contributors to behavioral traits, including addiction tendencies. Previous research has established that dopamine pathways, stress response genes, and neurobiological mechanisms involved in reward and motivation play crucial roles in addictionrelated behaviors. The present study employs a GWAS approach to examine the genetic predisposition to exercise addiction in elite wrestlers, analyzing common Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with this condition.