A systematic review of the integration of molecular biomarkers and anthropometric parameters for monitoring fatigue and inflammation in athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v71.117162Keywords:
parámetros antropométricos, biomarcadores, fatiga, inflamación, atletasAbstract
Introduction: Fatigue and inflammation are key physiological processes that modulate both recovery and performance outcomes in athletes. Nevertheless, existing monitoring strategies are not typically designed to incorporate molecular and anthropometric markers, which limits their specificity and application in sports settings.
Objective: To critically appraise recent evidence on the integration of molecular biomarkers and anthropometric parameters for the assessment of inflammation and fatigue in athletes.
Methodology: According to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, systematic searching was conducted in the Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PubMed databases. A total of 47 included studies from peer-reviewed, English-language articles with human athletes and reporting both molecular and anthropometric data.
Results: The review documented associations between body composition and biomarkers of muscle fatigue, inflammation, endocrine control, immune defense, and metabolism. Significant signaling cascades such as nuclear factor kappa B, phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B, and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis were commonly involved. Greater muscle mass supports better recovery, whereas higher fat mass increases inflammation and metabolic risk.
Discussion: Combining these biomarkers with anthropometric values increases precision in physiological assessment and reduces misclassification risks, particularly in highly trained subjects. This review promoted a two-stranded monitoring strategy—encompassing molecular and morphological measures—to support personalized training, nutrition, and recovery planning.
Conclusions: The combination of multiple biomarkers and anthropometric analysis presents a promising paradigm for individualized monitoring with significant implications for precision training and recovery protocols in sport science.
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