Pullela Gopichand Badmitnon Academy collaborates with Mapmygenome

To enhance the players physically and mentally, also to face the tough and competitive global arena through a better understanding of their genetics, Pullela Gopichand Academy, one of the top academies of Indian badminton, teams up with Mapmygenome, a personal genomics and molecular diagnostics. Already, the players started getting their personalised genetic report (Genomepatras).

India’s top badminton players including Saina Nehwal (now at bangalore), PV Sindhu, Parupalli Kashyap, Sai Praneeth, Prannoy, and Kadambi Srikanth are all have been trained at the Academy by Pullela Gopichand.

An athlete-oriented genetics reports are created by Gopichand Academy with Mapmygenome. Initially, some athletes were tested for genetic information and their personalized genetic report called 'Genomepatri Fit’ has been created. To reach the optimum fitness and health levels, following these extensive genetic counseling sessions were physical trainers and sports nutritionist are working with these genetic experts to chart out lifestyle and dietary changes.

Anu Acharya, founder and CEO of Ocimum Bio Solutions and Mapmygenome told that Genetics is a recent dimension added to enhance sports persons performance levels. Mapmygenome has completed the genome maps of some of the top players at the academy and is working at integrating genomics into regular sports training and talent nurturing.

Anu Acharya said. “The association with the Academy began before the Rio, Brazil Olympics in 2016 in a small way. We feel it helps in optimising performance when added to the regular, rigorous training. We Can help in improving reaction time on court, learning from mistakes, selecting best food based on genetic makeup. For example , if some athlete is found to be Gluten intolerant then the correct and best food can be provided.”

The Gopichand Academy’s popularity peaked when P. V. Sindhu won the silver medal in badminton at the Olympics. According to Amit Malik, member of the management team at Gopichand Academy, as part of the intense training at the Academy all factors which help in minimizing injury and ensure total physical, mental and emotional health are added. In this direction the academy has partnered with Mapmygenome on a pilot scale to assess the utility of genetics in training.

“Leveraging genetic information for improving athletes performance is in very early stages. It is useful in athletics where event mapping can be easier through genetic information. Badminton being a very skill oriented sport has seen diverse set of top players with different genetic makeup,” added Amit Malik.