PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to systematically review Korean research on genetics and athletic performance, to examine patterns of research accumulation and structural characteristics within the field of sports genetics in Korea, and to propose directions for future research. METHODS This study adopted a systematic review design. Relevant literature was retrieved from the Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) using the search terms “genetic performance” and “athlete genetics and exercise.” Following PRISMA guidelines, duplicate records, nonacademic publications, and studies with limited relevance to the research focus were excluded, yielding a final sample of 35 studies. The selected studies were analyzed across multiple dimensions, including research themes, athlete characteristics, and sport types, genetic variants examined, performance indicators, analytical methods, and interpretive approaches to gene–performance relationships. RESULTS The findings indicated that sports genetics research in Korea has predominantly focused on candidate gene approaches, with particular emphasis on the ACE and ACTN3 genes. Performance-related fitness variables, including aerobic power, aerobic capacity, and muscular strength, were the most frequently examined outcome measures. Study participants were primarily national-level and elite athletes, with research samples heavily concentrated in combat sports and ice sports. Methodologically, most studies relied on single-gene analyses, and interpretations of gene– performance relationships were largely based on between-group mean comparisons. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, Korean sports genetics research should transition toward the systematic adoption of polygenic and multi-marker approaches to improve explanatory power related to athletic performance and injury susceptibility. Moreover, the development of sport-specific and training–context–sensitive analytics is warranted, alongside validation of field applicability using performance-based data and cross-platform genetic analyses. Finally, establishing long-term research infrastructures grounded in longitudinal designs and standardized data accumulation will be essential for constructing a Korean-specific sports genetics research system that supports talent identification, individualized training, and injury prevention.
