“Genetic tests,” which came to the forefront recently after Galatasaray footballer Taylan Antalyalı underwent them, are becoming an important guide in the development of young athletes in particular. Sports genetics expert Prof. Dr. Korkut Ulucan stated that genetic tests show not only information related to training but also what type of exercise an athlete is predisposed to, saying, “Information regarding an athlete’s susceptibility to non-impact injuries, their mental motivation, and nutrition programs can be determined with these types of tests.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences' Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Prof. Dr. Korkut Ulucan, made evaluations regarding the “genetic test” that Galatasaray player Taylan Antalyalı recently underwent and the importance of genetic tests.
What matters is following the test results
Sports genetics expert Prof. Dr. Korkut Ulucan, who also managed the “genetic test” process for young footballer Taylan Antalyalı, emphasized the importance of charting a course based on the data revealed by these tests. Prof. Dr. Korkut Ulucan said, “For years, we have been applying these types of tests to our athletes, and we have received very positive feedback. We also have athletes who compete in individual sports, successfully represent our country, and win gold medals in this regard. What is important is that these tests can be applied to athletes by expert coaches after they are conducted; in other words, the test alone is not sufficient.”
Athlete's predispositions are identified
Prof. Dr. Korkut Ulucan noted that these test outputs are very important in determining the athlete's predisposed characteristics, saying, “This issue can really be interpreted in many different ways. With these types of tests, we can only recommend information related to training to athletes. What type of exercise they are predisposed to, their susceptibility to non-impact injuries, their mental motivation, and information regarding their nutrition programs can be determined with these types of tests,” he said.
If he acts according to his genetic structure, he will be successful for many years
Prof. Dr. Korkut Ulucan also provided information regarding the tests conducted with the successful athlete Taylan Antalyalı, which have been on the agenda recently, saying, “He is a very intelligent, hardworking, and well-behaved young athlete; he has many years ahead of him. His investment in himself in this way shows the importance he places on this work. We had a good testing process with him and shared the results. Hopefully, if he organizes his life according to his genetic makeup, pays attention to his nutrition program, sleep, and what he needs to do, he will make us proud for many years,” thus underlining that the expected results from the tests can only be achieved by applying their outputs.