Super Religare Laboratories has launched India’s first genetic test that it claims will allow parents to determine whether a child is better suited for endurance sports, power sports or combination sports. Super Religare Laboratories, which has 450 collection centres across the country, has announced a sports gene test that it said would help parents and coaches spot potential talent early. The company said the test would provide insights into the genetic predilection of a child towards broad classes of sports: endurance sports such as long-distance running or swimming, or power sports like sprinting or the high jump. The test does not predict ability in any particular sport but will help channel India’s training and sports resources to higher effectiveness.

The test costs INR 1,900 and uses a cheek swab to examine a gene called actinin alpha-3 (ACTN3). The gene makes a protein that regulates energy release in muscles.This gene has two variants: Xand R. Every person has two copies of the gene, one from each parent. The X variant is associated with slow energy release and is best suited for endurance sports, the company said, while R supports explosive spurts of energy and is suited for power sports. A child with one X and one R would be suited to either class of sports.

Company officials said the test could help discover the natural advantage lying with a child at a young age when he or she cannot be subjected to sports assessment tests according to Super Religare Laboratories CEO Sanjeev Chaudhry. Diagnostic companies in Australia, North America and Europe also offer the test. Scientists studying the genetics of performance have, however, cautioned that there is no gene test to predict sports excellence and that attitude, training, opportunity and environment too contribute to high performance.

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