Is COMT useful for Sport?

Whether COMT is useful for sport is not straightforward. COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) degrades dopamine; the common rs4680 (Val158Met) variant alters enzyme activity. Met carriers have lower activity, linked to higher dopamine but also greater stress sensitivity. Some studies suggest benefits in endurance or pain tolerance, while others indicate drawbacks in power sports. Effect sizes are small, findings inconsistent, and replication lacking. Consumer DNA tests (e.g., MyBody-X) may report COMT SNPs, but clinical validity for sport optimization is unproven. Major health organizations advise against such tests for performance (see PMID: 38474735). Athletes should rely on validated biomarkers like lactate, VO2max, or CRP. Conclusion: COMT is an interesting but non-actionable marker. Evidence is moderate and mechanistic, insufficient for personalized training or nutrition advice.