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Connective Tissue & Injury Genetics

Tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues are built largely from collagen. Common genetic variants have been studied for links to how these tissues respond to training, and to the risk of certain sports injuries.

What these tests look at

Fitness-focused genetic tests include selected common variants that researchers have associated with soft-tissue injury risk, such as tendon and ligament injuries, alongside traits like endurance, power and recovery.

Genetrack DNA Fitness Test: reports genetic tendencies for soft-tissue and Achilles injury risk, endurance, power and strength-training response, response to exercise, pain threshold and motivation to exercise.
dnaPower fitPower: looks at 65+ genetic variations, including ligament and tendon injury risk, endurance vs. power, recovery speed and cardiovascular response to exercise, as described by dnaPower.

Interested in bone health? The Genetrack DNA Osteoporosis Risk Test includes COL1A1, a collagen gene, along with genes linked to bone density and vitamin D processing.

What the evidence says

Established: collagen and related proteins give tendons and ligaments their strength, and injury risk is influenced by many factors, including training load, previous injuries, age and technique.

Emerging: individual variants linked to injury risk have small effects, and study results are mixed. A result describes a tendency, not whether you will be injured.

Important limitations: These tests look at common variants associated with fitness and injury tendencies. They do not sequence collagen genes for inherited connective tissue disorders, and they can't diagnose or rule out Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hypermobility spectrum disorders or Marfan syndrome. Those are assessed clinically, with medical genetic testing where appropriate. Learn about EDS & hypermobility.

Related Tests

Laboratory: Genetrack · order through Wise Canary

DNA Fitness Test

$310.00

What's tested: Variants associated with soft-tissue and Achilles injury risk, endurance, power, training response, pain threshold and exercise motivation.
What it explores: Genetic tendencies related to athletic traits and soft-tissue injury risk.
Why it may be relevant: Directly reports soft-tissue and Achilles injury-risk tendencies.
Sample: Cheek (buccal) swab, collected at home

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dnaPower · purchased on dnaPower's website

fitPower DNA Test

$299.00 · price set by dnaPower

What's tested: 65+ genetic variations, including ligament and tendon injury risk, as described by dnaPower.
What it explores: Endurance vs. power, recovery speed, injury risk and cardiovascular response to exercise.
Why it may be relevant: Includes ligament and tendon injury-risk tendencies within a broader fitness report.
Sample: Cheek swab, collected at home

View Test

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For education only. This information is not medical advice and doesn't replace evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional. Health & laboratory disclaimer