Genetic and Epigenetic Influences on Personality Traits and Athletic Performance
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics and Genomics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 3802
Special Issue Editor
Interests: human and sport genetic; psychogenetic determinants of physical activity; exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation; influence of physical activity on intestinal microbiota in athletes; molecular background of exercise-induced adaptation
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Understanding the interplay between genetics, epigenetics, and human behavior is critical to advancing our knowledge of personality traits and athletic performance. A complex web of genetic predispositions, epigenetic modifications, and environmental factors shapes these traits and abilities. This Special Issue explores these intricate relationships and sheds light on how genetic and epigenetic factors influence personality development and athletic performance.
Recent advances in genomic and epigenomic research have shown that genetic factors significantly influence athletic performance and personality traits. However, these traits are not controlled by single genes but by multiple genetic loci, each contributing modestly to the overall phenotype. The role of gene-gene interactions (epistasis) and gene-environment interactions further complicates this genetic landscape. In addition, epigenetic mechanisms, which regulate gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, play a central role in modulating these traits in response to environmental stimuli such as exercise, diet, and psychological stress.
This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research that explores the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of personality traits and athletic performance. We encourage submissions that employ advanced methodologies, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS), and other approaches that explore genetic, epigenetic, and environmental data. Research exploring the genetic predispositions contributing to athletic excellence and the epigenetic and microbiota changes associated with physical training will be particularly relevant.
This Special Issue integrates insights from genetics, epigenetics, psychology, microbiota, and exercise science to advance our understanding of the biological underpinnings of personality and athletic performance. We hope that the presented findings will pave the way for personalized approaches to psychological assessment, athletic training, and human potential enhancement.
This Special Issue is supervised by Dr. Kinga Humińska-Lisowska, assisted by our Topical Advisory Panel Member Dr. Aleksandra Bojarczuk (Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Poland).
Dr. Kinga Huminska-Lisowska
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- genetics
- epigenetics
- personality traits
- athletic performance
- polymorphisms
- microbiome
- neurotransmitters
- molecular mechanisms
- metabolic health
- injury susceptibility
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.
