Common mistakes around Sportgene Alltag

The COMT genotype (Val158Met) influences dopamine breakdown and stress regulation, but effect sizes are small (<5% variance explained). For training recovery, sleep, nutrition, training load management, and overall stress coping are far more important. There is no robust evidence that COMT genotype alone can determine whether an athlete needs more rest or adaptogens. Most commercial tests overstate clinical relevance. Instead of relying on genetic tests, athletes should focus on proven strategies like sleep hygiene, periodized training, and adequate caloric intake. The evidence is mixed – mechanistic and observational, but insufficient for personalized recovery recommendations.