Creatine and inositol are two supplements gaining strong attention due to their role in exercise recovery, sports performance and injury prevention. Importantly, their use as dietary supplements may be more efficient when guided by a person’s genetic profile.
The genetics of injury risk are complex and involve multiple biological pathways, including connective tissue strength, bone health and the body’s inflammatory response. Some people carry genetic variations that increase their susceptibility to joint injuries, soft tissue damage or slower recovery following physical stress. Understanding these genetic differences can allow the tailoring of training and diet strategies in a more precise manner to support long-term performance and wellbeing.
The cells in our bodies contain genes that are important for determining injury risk, and can influence collagen structure and tissue strength, bone mineral density, and how the body regulates inflammation during and after exercise. Variations, or small changes in some genes, can influence collagen production and so can impact the integrity of ligaments, tendons and cartilage. Other genes can influence bone strength and fracture risk, while inflammatory response genes determine how efficiently the body manages exercise-induced inflammation. Together, these pathways help explain why some individuals can be more prone to injury while others recover more quickly.
Personalised insights with the Fitgenes ActiveChoice™ Report
The Fitgenes ActiveChoice™ Report is designed to help you and your health practitioner understand your unique genetic pathways related to physical performance, injury risk and recovery capacity.
For people with a genetic predisposition to injuries or prolonged recovery, targeted nutritional and lifestyle interventions can be especially valuable. Creatine supports muscle energy production, strength and recovery, while inositol plays a role in cellular signalling, muscle function and inflammation regulation. When implemented alongside appropriate training programs and under practitioner guidance, these interventions may help reduce injury risk, enhance recovery, and improve overall athletic performance.
Learn more about this genetic report here, and contact us if you are interested in finding a practitioner who can assist you interpret your results and provide personalised interventions.
Article author: Cristina Fortuno, PhD
Dr Fortuno is genetic scientist with focus on human health, and has a PhD (University of Queensland) in Human genetics.
Key References
Cipriani F, Gnessi L, Watanabe M, Baldelli R. Inositols and Bone Health: Potential Therapeutic Applications in Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment. Nutrients. 2025;17(12):1999. Published 2025 Jun 13. doi:10.3390/nu17121999
Ding H, Deng Q, Guo Z. Genetic and epigenetic determinants of injury risk and recovery in elite athletes: toward precision sports medicine. Gene. 2026;980:149957. doi:10.1016/j.gene.2025.149957
Leońska-Duniec A. Genetic Susceptibility to Sport-Related Muscle Injuries: Insights from the Literature and Novel Gene Candidates. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;26(22):11175. Published 2025 Nov 19. doi:10.3390/ijms262211175
Wax B, Kerksick CM, Jagim AR, Mayo JJ, Lyons BC, Kreider RB. Creatine for Exercise and Sports Performance, with Recovery Considerations for Healthy Populations. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):1915. Published 2021 Jun 2. doi:10.3390/nu13061915
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