Research in Physical Education, Sport and Health 2020, Vol. 9, No. 2, pp.65-76 ISSN(Print):1857-8152; ISSN(Online):1857-8160 www.pesh.mk 65 GENETICS AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE DOI: https://doi.org/10.46733/PESH20920065c (Review Article) Mesut Cerit 1 , Metin Dalip 2 , Damla Selin Yildirim 3 1, 3 Lokman Hekim University, Department Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sogutozü, 06510, Ankara, Turkey 2 University of Tetova Faculty of Physical Education and Health. 1200. Tetovo. Macedonia Abstract Sports Scientists and researchers in related disciplines unquestionably agreed on the fact that the level of physical development and process of adaptation to the exertions are due to the genetic makeup of individuals. Reasons such as lifestyle, environmental interactions and coming from different origins (ethnicity) by skin color are also facts that cannot be ignored in revealing the unique changes between people. The features encoded in DNA sequences or chains that cause changes between humans also determine the limits of physical performance. Therefore, the genetic characteristics of the Olympic athletes allow them to perform at a high level, more precisely to be slightly ahead of other competitors. The number of candidate genes associated with the potential for higher levels of physical exertion to occur is quite high. However, the number of genes that directly trigger athletic success among these candidate genes is also very limited. There are so many factors that affect athletic performance that even if one competitor is considered superior to another, the result is almost always doubtful. It is clear that ideal genes probably push an athlete to greatness, but that these ideal genes also do not guarantee an optimal result. The complexity of genetic and environmental influences on the physiological, motor and psychological characteristics also severely limits the scope of determining athletic abilities and generating a genetic profile of targeted success. Undoubtedly, athletes with a favorable genetic profile who interact with correct training practices are more likely to achieve higher performance levels. However, it is likely that the possible combinations of genetic and environmental factors that result in elite performance will remain enormous and often unpredictable. Keywords: Candidate Genes, Athletes, ACE, ACTN3. Introduction Perfect software that takes place in genes and their sequences (DNA) are inconceivable formations that transform the physical and metabolic characters of the organism into a lifestyle in its mysterious adventure, which has been continuously structured since its time in the womb when life began to be encoded. Gene- triggered behaviors determine the vitality level, exercise adaptation, duration of effort, the level of calories expended, the likelihood of developing fatal diseases and above all, quality of life. The said changes (differences in sequences), provide increased physical effort for some in a shorter time while cause some to reach results in a longer time than expected. The ability of the physical exertion level to reach the expected target with increasing exertions occurs as a result of training exertions that continue for a minimum of three thousand (3000) hours for the extraordinarily talented, and for longer periods for other individuals who progress more slowly, which results from small but important changes in the DNA chains in question. In the studies conducted to date on the role of genetic factors in the development of strength (1), power, muscular endurance and flexibility, the most comprehensive data on muscle fitness was obtained from family studies (2). In these studies, muscular endurance was evaluated by measuring the maximum number of sit-ups performed in 60 seconds and the number of push-ups completed without time limit; muscle power was evaluated by measuring grip strength, and body flexibility was evaluated by measuring the sit and reach test. In long-term studies conducted within the framework of physical fitness, determination of inheritance predictions as 37% for sit-up, 44% for a push-up, 48% for flexibility, and 37% for grip strength in the sit- up tests shows genetic factors are contradictory. Inheritance ability was observed as 41% in a sit-up, 52% in push-up capacity, 32% in grip strength effort and 48% in flexibility development under ideal conditions