PhD defence Anna Roos Leerschool

Keywords: Disease prevention, Sport performance optimisation, Genetic testing, Modifiable risk factors

"Personalised Prevention And Performance: A Mixed-methods Approach Investigating Modifiable and Non-modifiable Determinants"

The pursuit of optimal health is a growing theme in modern healthcare and health science. The past century has seen a shift away from viewing health as the absence of disease towards the promotion of overall well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional dimensions. This evolving perspective frames health as a dynamic continuum, ranging from premature death to optimal functioning. This thesis addressed two critical aspects along this continuum: disease prevention and athletic performance optimisation. It explored how genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors can inform personalised prevention and sport performance strategies. Combining quantitative and qualitative research methods, the thesis examined three main topics: 1) modifiable risk factors of the second most common cancer amongst men, prostate cancer, 2) public attitudes towards direct-to-consumer genetic testing, and 3) athletes’ and coaches’ perceptions of genetic testing in sport.

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