FORECASTING THE PROSPECTS OF ATHLETES BASED ON THEIR PHENOTYPIC AND GENOTYPIC INDICATORS

ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to develop criteria and methods for the prognostic selection of athletes based not only on phenotypic features but also on genotypic indicators that predict "sporting giftedness" and the formation of specific body types. Material and methods: The assessment of athletes' physical development was conducted based on anthropometric methods according to the recommendations set forth by E.G. Martirosov, 1982. The type of constitution was determined using the Heath-Carter method, 1989, with the identification of ecto, endo, and mesomorphic components calculated using special formulas. The HLA- genetic system was identified by typing in a microcyto-lymphotoxic test according to the methodology of Yu.M. Zaretskaya and V.M. Abramov, 1986. Research results: Athletes-rowers with higher sports qualifications—international-class masters of sports and masters of sports—represent a fairly homogeneous sample: 75% of athletes have an endo-mesomorphic type, 16.7% have an ecto-endomorphic type, and 8.3% have an ecto-mesomorphic type. To more reliably clarify the role of HLA system genes in the individual development program, the associations of subloci A, B, and C of the HLA complex with the somatotype were studied. Thus, for endo-mesomorphic somatotypes, significant specific associations were identified with the antigens HLA-A3, HLA-A9, HLA-A11, the sublocus HLA-B35, as well as HLA-CW4 and HLA-CW6. Ecto-mesomorphic somatotypes had significant associative links with HLA-SW-5, A-10 sublocus antigens. A comparative analysis of athletes with high athletic qualifications with discharger athletes with the same athletic experience revealed a significant decrease in the frequency of occurrence for locus A, specifically for the HLA A-3 antigen, and an increased content of HLA B-8, HLA B-13 in highly qualified athletes. Conclusions: Specific genetic markers have been established that are associated not only with the formation of specific body types but also predict the developmental spectrum of "sports aptitude," which holds selective significance in sports practice.