GTPBP1 and infection: The present study revealed a significant higher rate of microbial infections among swimmers of Gp2 than among swimmers of Gp1, indicating a strong association between infections and the maturation level of swimmers’ performance, as sick swimmers are forced to stop training several times and for periods that might be long enough to evoke a decline in swimmers’ performance and their physical status that could compromise the rest of the season27,48.