About
The ELITE study is an international collaboration aimed at discovering the genetic determinants of physical fitness in the world’s most elite endurance athletes. We hope to distinguish the role of genetic predisposition from environmental factors such as training.
Simply put, we are looking for the fittest people in the world.
The ELITE study aims to uncover the genetic determinants of human aerobic performance. We will recruit 10,000 athletes with maximal aerobic capacity in the top 1% of the population. We hope that understanding the genetic basis of maximal aerobic capacity will provide insights into the mechanistic underpinnings of human endurance performance.
Performing regular exercise is one of the most important actions by which individuals of all ages can improve their health. High maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) is a critical component of sports performance and is highly predictive of human health and longevity. The genetic contribution to human cardiorespiratory fitness, trainability and maximal aerobic capacity is significant and recent work has just started to uncover some genetic pathways that could underlie the benefits of endurance training.
Our research efforts will lead to a deeper understanding of performance for all. It will inform targeted training regimens for aspiring athletes based on their genetic profiles, and can optimize interventions for specific performance improvements. The findings from this study can also contribute to the development of precision exercise health.
Our Progress
Average VO2max measurement
Highest VO2max (women)
Highest VO2max (men)
Number of Participants
Number of countries represented
Discovering the genetic basis of maximal aerobic capacity in humans will allow us to understand and optimize human performance, as well as uncover the fundamental basis of many aspects of human physiology.
Our approach
With the help of collaborators across the US and abroad (see map at left), we will recruit an ethnically and geographically diverse cohort of 10,000 athletes with a VO2max in the top percentile of the population (≥ 55 mL/kg/min for women and ≥ 65 mL/kg/min for men). Participants must be ≥18 years old, with a validated VO2max result from a testing facility (historical tests, even decades old, are adequate as this is a study of genomic DNA) OR a VO2max estimate from an activity tracker (e.g. Garmin, Apple, etc.). We will then carry out whole genome sequencing looking for genetic variation predictive of high VO2max. Recruitment occurs through a web portal and requires consent followed by a basic survey, and the subsequent submission of a saliva sample.
A NOTE ON PRIVACY
This survey is conducted through a secure platform to which only HIPAA-certified study researchers have access. The saliva collection kit is mailed directly to participants or distributed via collaborators then mailed back at no cost to the participant. Samples are deidentified and stored in a secure location. All data are stored on secure, encrypted servers and all analyses are conducted using deidentified data.
Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance
Our research is supported by the Stanford Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, a collaborative research initiative that seeks to improve the health and well-being of all people through the study of peak human performance. The Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance is an interdisciplinary effort made up of six primary hubs leading cutting edge research to advance this field of study and translate it into practice in sports medicine and beyond. The six hubs include Stanford University, Boston Children’s Hospital, The University of Kansas, University of Oregon, the Salk Institute, and University of California San Diego.
Get Involved
Click the button below to enroll in the ELITE Study as a participant.
We also invite faculty, students, staff, alumni, friends, and external organizations to collaborate with ELITE Study at Stanford. If you wish contact the ELITE team or stay in the loop with research updates, please fill out the form below or contact us directly at elitestudy@stanford.edu.