Variations within the serotonin transporter gene, SLC6A4 (solute carrier family 6 member 4), particularly the 5-HTTLPR (serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region), have been extensively studied in relation to behavioral and psychological traits. The aim of our study is to examine the relationship between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism located in the SLC6A4 gene and personality traits, as assessed using the NEO-FFI (NEO Five Factor Inventory). The MANOVA model demonstrated a significant overall association, accounting for approximately 8% of the variance in the data (Wilk’s λ = 0.847, F_10,342 = 2.979, p = 0.0013, η² = 0.08). Subsequent ANOVAs revealed statistically significant 5-HTTLPR polymorphism associations with the Neuroticism (p = 0.0018, R² = 0.070), Openness (p = 0.0364, R² = 0.037), and Conscientiousness (p = 0.0020, R² = 0.068) dimensions. The post-hoc analysis revealed that individuals with the LL genotype obtained significantly lower Neuroticism scores compared to the S/S (p = 0.0011) and SL genotype (p = 0.0086) carriers. Similarly, individuals with the L/L genotype had lower Openness scores compared to those with SS genotype (p = 0.0107). LL and SL genotype carriers had higher Conscientiousness scores compared to those with the SS genotype (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0109, respectively). In conclusion, our study provides further data regarding the implications of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in the complex genetic architecture of human personality. The observed associations with Neuroticism, Openness, and Conscientiousness, while modest in effect size, contribute to our understanding of how genetic variation at the SLC6A4 locus may subtly shape individual personality differences.

Background: Psychogenetics of sports is a fairly recent branch that combines research on genetic, environmental, and psychological factors influencing sports accomplishments. There has been a growing interest among scientists in analysing the results of polymorphic variants of genes that code for brain neurotransmitters. Epigenetics is also significant, especially in DNA methylation in selected promoters of candidate genes. Methods: The work includes a review of the available literature on the topic. The review concerned scientific publications on cerebral neurotransmission in sports from the last 20 years.Results: The analysis of publications on the researched topic results in a holistic presentation of a new, prospective area of research: psychogenetics in sport. For biological reasons, the authors focused on the dopaminergic system, which includes catechol-methyltransferase. Epigenetics, which has been shown to significantly impact sports psychogenetics, is also central to the study.Conclusion: It has been demonstrated that elite sports development depends to some extend on a genetic component. Nevertheless, our present understanding of the molecular basis of cognitive abilities and personality traits in athletes is still insufficient and the very discipline of sports genetics and epigenetics needs further extensive research.

In sports research, genetic studies linked to the traits of the temperament, in addition to medical examinations and other physiological and biochemical tests, would enrich the scope of possibilities and successes that a competitor can accomplish. This could be beneficial for the protection of both mental and physical health. The study group comprised 391 male volunteers. Out of these, 222 sports subjects and 186 were non-addicted. The temperament and character questionnaire (TCI-R) was used to determine personality traits such as novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward addiction and perseverance, as well as self-direction, cooperation and self-transcendence. Genotyping OPRM1 rs1799971 was carried out with the real-time PCR method. In the present study polymorphic variants of selected genotypes were associated with self-direction - A/A genotypes in the study group. Higher values were observed compared to the control group (p = 0.045). Similarly, the A/G genotype occurred statistically significantly more frequently in the study group compared to the control group. The G/G genetic variant was less common in the study group compared to the controls. Conclusions: The study reveals the validity of analysing connections between personality traits and selected gene polymorphisms in athletes, a relatively new field. The presence of the OPRM1 rs1799971 AA genotype is associated with higher self-management scores, indicating genetic predispositions in the study group for better results in sports.