Unlocking Athletic Potential: The Croatian-Slovenian TWINSWINS Project

What drives the making of a sports star? Is it genetics, environment, or something in between? The Croatian-Slovenian multidisciplinary project, “The Role of Genetics, Biological Age, and Muscle Fiber Characteristics in Talent Development and Sports Performance: A Twin Study” (TWINSWINS), is tackling this fascinating question head-on. This project is the result of our collaboration with Dr. Dražen Čular and his outstanding team, whom we had the pleasure of visiting this summer in the beautiful City of Split. You can find more details about this in our previous post.

TWINSWINS dives into the interplay of genetic, biological, and environmental factors in shaping sports talent. By analyzing young Croatian and Slovenian athletes— in particular, including a unique sample of monozygotic and dizygotic twins along with their parents—the project aims to refine how we identify and nurture athletic potential.

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Cutting-Edge Science at Work

This initiative brings together experts from kinesiology, biomedicine, biotechnology, and sociology and psychology. Using modern, non-invasive technologies such as:

• Tensiomyography (TMG) to assess muscle function,

• MyotonPRO digital palpation for muscle tone measurement,

• Muscle Talent Scan MRI for in-depth imaging, and

• SonicBone ultrasonic assessment for determining bone age,

  
  

the project maps a comprehensive profile of young athletes' biological and physical characteristics.

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Goals That Matter

The ultimate objective? Revolutionizing youth sports development. TWINSWINS aims to:

• Develop advanced diagnostic tools for precise athlete monitoring.

• Provide insights into the Relative Age Effect (RAE) and genetic predispositions.

• Enhance training and selection methods to prevent injuries and reduce dropout rates.

  
  

Scientific and Social Impact

The project’s outcomes promise a dual impact:

1. Scientific Advancements:

   • Publishing results in peer-reviewed academic journals.

   • Sharing anonymized data in open databases for global research collaboration.

     
     

2. Societal Benefits:

   • Empowering athletes, parents, and coaches with evidence-based tools.

   • Helping sports academies, clubs, and national associations foster better development pathways.

     
     

A Holistic Approach to Athlete Development

TWINSWINS goes beyond science. It embraces a holistic philosophy, integrating genetics, ethics, environmental influences, and biological age into talent development strategies. This comprehensive approach has the potential to reshape how athletes are trained and nurtured, ensuring a more sustainable and inclusive future in sports.

Stay tuned for updates on TWINSWINS as it continues to make strides in the ever-evolving fields of sports science and athlete development. This groundbreaking initiative leverages the latest research and technological advancements to refine training methodologies, optimize performance, and promote the overall well-being of athletes at all levels.

By integrating cutting-edge techniques with evidence-based practices, TWINSWINS is set to transform how athletes train, compete, and recover. The project’s mission is to unlock every athlete’s full potential, helping individuals achieve not only their personal bests but also thrive in their chosen disciplines.

With a strong commitment to building a supportive community and providing invaluable resources, TWINSWINS aims to empower athletes to reach new heights, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sports. Together, we can shape a future where excellence and well-being go hand in hand.

Funding

This project was funded by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARIS) and the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ), with Assist. Prof. Armin Paravlić, PhD, serving as the project leader on the Slovenian side, and Prof. Dr. Dražen Čular as the principal investigator.

Author: Assist. Prof. Armin Paravlić,  PhD