Two Italian twin registers for research in human biology and sport science.

ABSTRACT

Two Italian twin registers are described, the Register of Italian Twin Athletes (RITA) and the Twin Register of Rome (TERRY), developed in recent years at the newly established University of Sport and Movement Sciences of Rome-Foro Italico (IUSM). Ascertainment procedures, database, applications and current prospects are outlined, along with their research focus, which mainly consists of epidemiological and clinical research on the determinants of sport performance as well as on the role of genetic factors versus lifestyle, especially physical activity, in health and aging.