Genetic Doping and Candidate Genes
Any physiological process related to the production of energy and movement could be considered a potential target of genetic doping, aimed at obtaining greater sports performance.
Genetic doping could in fact be used to increase muscle strength and size, to prolong resistance to fatigue, to promote faster healing from musculoskeletal trauma or to reduce pain associated with exertion.
Furthermore, the prospect of genetic doping, compared with other forms of drug doping, is even more attractive due to the fact that with the current anti-doping controls in use it is practically impossible to prove that there has been genetic doping.
Possible candidate genes for genetic doping have been divided into groups on the basis of their effect in relation to processes related to physical performance; however some are related to more than one group considering the complex biological functions in which they are involved.
