Lack of association between genotype score and sprint/power performance in the Japanese population

Sports-Related Genomic Predictors Are Associated with Athlete Status in Chinese Sprint/Power Athletes

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between variant loci significantly associated with sports-related traits in the GWAS Catalog database and sprint/power athlete status, as well as to explore the polygenic profile of elite athletes. Methods: Next-generation sequencing and microarray technology were used to genotype samples from 211 elite athletes who had achieved success in national or international competitions in power-based sports and from 522 non-athletes, who were healthy university students with no history of professional sports training. Variant loci collected from databases were extracted after imputation. Subsequently, 80% of the samples were randomly selected as the training set, and the remaining 20% as the validation set. Results: Association analysis of variant loci was conducted in the training set, and individual Total Genotype Score (TGS) were calculated using genotype dosage and lnOR, followed by the establishment of a logistic model, with predictive performance evaluated in the validation set. Association analysis was performed on 2075 variant loci, and after removing linked loci (r2 > 0.2), 118 Tag SNPs (p ≤ 0.05) were identified. A logistic model built using 30 Tag SNPs (p ≤ 0.01) showed better performance in the validation set (AUC = 0.707). Conclusions: Our study identified 30 new genetic molecular markers and demonstrated that elite sprint/power athlete status is polygenic.

Genomic predictors of physical activity and athletic performance

Physical activity and athletic performance are complex phenotypes influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Recent advances in lifestyle and behavioral genomics led to the discovery of dozens of DNA polymorphisms (variants) associated with physical activity and allowed to use them as genetic instruments in Mendelian randomization studies for identifying the causal links between physical activity and health outcomes. On the other hand, exercise and sports genomics studies are focused on the search for genetic variants associated with athlete status, sports injuries and individual responses to training and supplement use. In this review, the findings of studies investigating genetic markers and their associations with physical activity and athlete status are reported. As of the end of September 2023, a total of 149 variants have been associated with various physical activity traits (of which 42 variants are genome-wide significant) and 253 variants have been linked to athlete status (115 endurance-related, 96 power-related, and 42 strength-related).

Genes and Athletic Performance: The 2023 Update

Phenotypes of athletic performance and exercise capacity are complex traits influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. This update on the panel of genetic markers (DNA polymorphisms) associated with athlete status summarises recent advances in sports genomics research, including findings from candidate gene and genome-wide association (GWAS) studies, meta-analyses, and findings involving larger-scale initiatives such as the UK Biobank. As of the end of May 2023, a total of 251 DNA polymorphisms have been associated with athlete status, of which 128 genetic markers were positively associated with athlete status in at least two studies (41 endurance-related, 45 power-related, and 42 strength-related). The most promising genetic markers include the AMPD1 rs17602729 C, CDKN1A rs236448 A, HFE rs1799945 G, MYBPC3 rs1052373 G, NFIA-AS2 rs1572312 C, PPARA rs4253778 G, and PPARGC1A rs8192678 G alleles for endurance; ACTN3 rs1815739 C, AMPD1 rs17602729 C, CDKN1A rs236448 C, CPNE5 rs3213537 G, GALNTL6 rs558129 T, IGF2 rs680 G, IGSF3 rs699785 A, NOS3 rs2070744 T, and TRHR rs7832552 T alleles for power; and ACTN3 rs1815739 C, AR ≥21 CAG repeats, LRPPRC rs10186876 A, MMS22L rs9320823 T, PHACTR1 rs6905419 C, and PPARG rs1801282 G alleles for strength. It should be appreciated, however, that elite performance still cannot be predicted well using only genetic testing.

Advances in sports genomics

Sports genomics is the scientific discipline that focuses on the organization and function of the genome in elite athletes, and aims to develop molecular methods for talent identification, personalized exercise training, nutritional need and prevention of exercise-related diseases. It postulates that both genetic and environmental factors play a key role in athletic performance and related phenotypes. This update on the panel of genetic markers (DNA polymorphisms) associated with athlete status and soft-tissue injuries covers advances in research reported in recent years, including one whole genome sequencing (WGS) and four genome-wide association (GWAS) studies, as well as findings from collaborative projects and meta-analyses. At end of 2020, the total number of DNA polymorphisms associated with athlete status was 220, of which 97 markers have been found significant in at least two studies (35 endurance-related, 24 power-related, and 38 strength-related). Furthermore, 29 genetic markers have been linked to soft-tissue injuries in at least two studies. The most promising genetic markers include HFE rs1799945, MYBPC3 rs1052373, NFIA-AS2 rs1572312, PPARA rs4253778, and PPARGC1A rs8192678 for endurance; ACTN3 rs1815739, AMPD1 rs17602729, CPNE5 rs3213537, CKM rs8111989, and NOS3 rs2070744 for power; LRPPRC rs10186876, MMS22L rs9320823, PHACTR1 rs6905419, and PPARG rs1801282 for strength; and COL1A1 rs1800012, COL5A1 rs12722, COL12A1 rs970547, MMP1 rs1799750, MMP3 rs679620, and TIMP2 rs4789932 for soft-tissue injuries. It should be appreciated, however, that hundreds and even thousands of DNA polymorphisms are needed for the prediction of athletic performance and injury risk.

A pilot study: the relationship between salivary MCP-1 and IgA, and exercise performance in long-distance runners and sprinters

Objective

It remains unclear that the relationship between sprint and/or endurance performance and salivary immunological factors and stress hormones in athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate if salivary immunological factors and stress hormones are related to sprint and endurance performance in sprinters and long-distance runners. Fourteen male sprinters provided 100-m record and 22 male long-distance runners provided 5000-m record. Salivary IgA, MCP-1, interleukin-8, and cortisol levels in sprinters and long-distance runners were measured by ELISA assay.

Results

No significant differences were found in all salivary parameters between sprinters and long-distance runners. In long-distance runners, the salivary IgA and MCP-1 concentrations and secretory rate significantly correlated with their personal best 5000-m times (r = 0.534, P = 0.011; r = 0.567, P = 0.006; r = 0.452, P = 0.035, respectively). In sprinters, the salivary IgA concentration, MCP-1 concentration, and MCP-1 secretory rate did not correlate with personal best 100-m sprint times (r = − 0.260, P = 0.369; r = 0.128, P = 0.663; r = 0.122, P = 0.677, respectively). Therefore, the present study is the first to determine that immunological factors such as IgA and MCP1 may be related to endurance performance in long-distance runners.

Total Genotype Score Modelling of Polygenic Endurance-Power Profiles in Lithuanian Elite Athletes

Total genotype score (TGS) reflects additive effect of genotypes on predicting a complex trait such as athletic performance. Scores assigned to genotypes in the TGS should represent an extent of the genotype’s predisposition to the trait. Then, combination of genotypes highly ranks those individuals, who have a trait expressed. Usually, the genotypes are scored by the evidence of a genotype–phenotype relationship published in scientific studies. The scores can be revised computationally using genotype data of athletes, if available. From the available genotype data of 180 Lithuanian elite athletes we created an endurance-mixed-power performance TGS profile based on known ACE rs1799752, ACTN3 rs1815739, and AMPD1 rs17602729, and an emerging MB rs7293 gene markers. We analysed an ability of this TGS profile to stratify athletes according to the sport category that they practice. Logistic regression classifiers were trained to compute the genotype scores that represented the endurance versus power traits in the group of analysed athletes more accurately. We observed differences in TGS distributions in female and male group of athletes. The genotypes with possibly different effects on the athletic performance traits in females and males were described. Our data-driven analysis and TGS modelling tools are freely available to practitioners.

The Association of Multiple Gene Variants with Ageing Skeletal Muscle Phenotypes in Elderly Women

There is a scarcity of studies that have investigated the role of multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on a range of muscle phenotypes in an elderly population. The present study investigated the possible association of 24 SNPs with skeletal muscle phenotypes in 307 elderly Caucasian women (aged 60–91 years, 66.3 ± 11.3 kg). Skeletal muscle phenotypes included biceps brachii thickness, vastus lateralis cross-sectional areas, maximal hand grip strength, isometric knee extension and elbow flexion torque. Genotyping for 24 SNPs, chosen on their skeletal muscle structural or functional links, was conducted on DNA extracted from blood or saliva. Of the 24 SNPs, 10 were associated with at least one skeletal muscle phenotype. HIF1A rs11549465 was associated with three skeletal muscle phenotypes and PTK2 rs7460 and ACVR1B rs10783485 were each associated with two phenotypes. PTK2 rs7843014, COL1A1 rs1800012, CNTF rs1800169, NOS3 rs1799983, MSTN rs1805086, TRHR rs7832552 and FTO rs9939609 were each associated with one. Elderly women possessing favourable genotypes were 3.6–13.2% stronger and had 4.6–14.7% larger muscle than those with less favourable genotypes. These associations, together with future work involving a broader range of SNPs, may help identify individuals at particular risk of an age-associated loss of independence.

Prevalence and association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with sarcopenia in older women depends on definition

The prevalence of sarcopenia depends on the definition used. There are, however, consistent sarcopenic characteristics, including a low muscle mass and muscle strength. Few studies have investigated the relationship between sarcopenia and genotype. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 307 community-dwelling ≥60-year-old women in South Cheshire, UK. Handgrip strength was assessed with a handgrip dynamometer and skeletal muscle mass was estimated using bioelectrical impedance. DNA was extracted from saliva (∼38%) or blood (∼62%) and 24 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped. Three established sarcopenia definitions - %Skeletal Muscle Mass (%SMM), Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMI) and European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) - were used to assess sarcopenia prevalence. Binary logistic regression with age as covariate was used to identify SNPs associated with sarcopenia. The prevalence of sarcopenia was: %SMM 14.7%, SMI 60.6% and EWGSOP 1.3%. Four SNPs were associated with the %SMM and SMI definitions of sarcopenia; FTO rs9939609, ESR1 rs4870044, NOS3 rs1799983 and TRHR rs7832552. The first three were associated with the %SMM definition, and TRHR rs7832552 with the SMI definition, but none were common to both sarcopenia definitions. The gene variants associated with sarcopenia may help proper counselling and interventions to prevent individuals from developing sarcopenia.

The plateau at V˙ O2max is associated with anaerobic alleles

OBJECTIVES

This study tests the hypothesis that individuals who achieve a plateau at V˙ O_2max (V˙ O_2plat) are more likely to possess alleles, associated with anaerobic capacity, than those who do not.

DESIGN

A literature survey, physiological testing and genetic analysis was used to determine any association between the aerobic and anaerobic polymorphisms of 40 genes and V˙ O_2plat.

METHODS

34, healthy, Caucasian volunteers, completed an exercise test to determine V˙ O_2max, and  V˙ O_2plat. 28 of the volunteers agreed to DNA testing and 26 were successfully genotyped. A literature search was used to determine whether the 40 polymorphisms analysed were associated with aerobic, or anaerobic exercise performance.

RESULTS

The literature survey enabled classification of the 40 target alleles as aerobic [11], anaerobic [24], or having no apparent association (NAA) [5] with exercise performance. It also found no previous studies linking a genetic component with the ability to achieve V˙ O_2plat. Independent t-tests showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the ability to achieve V˙ O_2plat, but no other measured physiological variable was significantly different. Pearson's χ² testing demonstrated a highly significant association (p = 0.008) between anaerobic allele frequency and V˙ O_2plat, but not with V˙ O_2max. There was no association between aerobic alleles and V˙ O_2plat, or V˙ O_2max. Finally there were no significant differences in the allelic frequencies, observed in this study and those expected of Northern and Western European Caucasians.

CONCLUSION

These results support the hypothesis that the ability to achieve V˙ O_2plat is associated with alleles linked to anaerobic exercise capacity.

Total genotype score and athletic status: An exploratory cross-sectional study of a Brazilian athlete cohort

The purpose of the present study was to explore the ability of the total genotype score (TGS) for evaluation of the polygenic profile of elite athletes. Data from a Brazilian athlete cohort were used in this study, which included 368 athletes and 818 nonathletes. The TGS targeted to power athletes was computed using from two to 10 associated polymorphisms. In all models, the power group showed a higher TGS mean compared to the nonathlete group. In particular, scores using more associated polymorphisms showed stronger differences (P < 0.0001). Moreover, the more polymorphisms included in the score, the greater its discriminatory power. The frequency distribution of individuals according to the TGS computed using 10 associated polymorphisms showed that both the power group and the replication group were overrepresented in scores ≥60.0 (P < 0.0075). Individuals with a score ≥60.0 had an increased odds ratio (OR) of being an elite athlete compared to the nonathlete group (OR > 2.03; P < 0.006), although there were athletes with TGS values ranging from 15.0 to 90.0. By setting 60.0 as the cutoff point, the sensitivity and specificity of the TGS was approximately 30% and 82.5%, respectively. In conclusion, the TGS computed using 10 associated polymorphisms proved to be effective in discriminating the target athlete group, but with limited accuracy as evidenced by its sensitivity rate.

Associations of Mitochondrial Deoxyribonucleic Acid Polymorphisms With Behçet's Disease in the Korean Population

Objectives

This study aims to examine the possible associations of mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and Behçet's disease (BD) in a larger patient group.

Patients and methods

Whole blood or buffy coat was collected from 98 BD patients (31 males, 67 females; mean age 48±2.8 years; range 20 to 60 years) from four university hospitals located in the Chung-Cheong district of the Republic of Korea, and 196 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) (62 males, 134 females; mean age 46.91±12.90 years; range 20 to 68 years) from Konyang University Hospital. Twenty targeted mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs) were genotyped and compared using the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence. Chi square and Fisher's exact tests were used to analyze association of mitochondrial DNA SNPs with BD susceptibility and its clinical characteristics.

Results

There were no differences for m.248A>G, m.304C>A, m.709G>A, m.3010G>A, m.3970C>T, m.4883C>T, m.5178C>A, m.6392T>C, m.6962G>A, m.10310G>A, m.10609T>C, m.12406G>A, m.12882C>T, m.13928G>C, m.14668C>T, m.16129G>A, and m16304T> between patient and HC groups. However, m.16182A>C and m.16183A>C were more frequently observed in the patient group than the HC group (22 [22.4%] vs. 24 [12.2%], p=0.061 and 32 [32.7%] vs. 42 [21.4%], p=0.092) but without statistical significance. m.4883C>T and m.5178C>A were associated with posterior location of oral ulcers (p=0.025 for each) and m.16183A>C was associated with deep oral ulcers (p=0.001), while m.16189T>C was associated with deep oral ulcers and thrombosis (p=0.042, 0.048, respectively).

Conclusion

m.16182A>C and m.16183A>C may be associated with BD in the Korean population.

Genetic Markers Associated with Power Athlete Status

Athletic performance is a multifactorial phenotype influenced by environmental factors as well as multiple genetic variants. Different genetic elements have a great influence over components of athletic performance such as endurance, strength, power, flexibility, neuromuscular coordination, psychological traits and other features important in sport. The current literature review revealed that to date more than 69 genetic markers have been associated with power athlete status. For the purpose of the present review we have assigned all genetic markers described with reference to power athletes status to seven main groups: 1) markers associated with skeletal muscle structure and function, 2) markers involved in the inflammatory and repair reactions in skeletal muscle during and after exercise, 3) markers involved in blood pressure control, 4) markers involved in modulation of oxygen uptake, 5) markers that are regulators of energy metabolism and cellular homeostasis, 6) markers encoding factors that control gene expression by rearrangement of chromatin fibers and mRNA stability, and 7) markers modulating cellular signaling pathways. All data presented in the current review provide evidence to support the notion that human physical performance may be influenced by genetic profiles, especially in power sports. The current studies still represent only the first steps towards a better understanding of the genetic factors that influence power-related traits, so further analyses are necessary before implementation of research findings into practice.

Genetic predisposition score predicts the increases of knee strength and muscle mass after one-year exercise in healthy elderly

This study aims to identify a genetic predisposition score from a set of candidate gene variants that predicts the response to a one-year exercise intervention. 200 participants (aged 60-83 years) were randomly assigned to a fitness (FIT), whole-body vibration (WBV) and control group. Participants in the exercise (FIT and WBV) groups performed a one-year intervention program. Whole-body skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and isometric knee extension strength (PT_IM60) were measured before and after the intervention. A set of 170 muscle-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped. Stepwise regression analysis was applied to select significantly contributing SNPs for baseline and relative change parameters. A data-driven genetic predisposition score (GPS) was calculated by adding up predisposing alleles for each of the phenotypes. GPS was calculated based on 4 to 8 SNPs which were significantly related to the corresponding phenotypes. These SNPs belong to genes that are involved in myoblast differentiation, muscle and bone growth, myofiber contraction, cytokines and DNA methylation. GPS was related to baseline PT_IM60 and relative changes of SMM and PT_IM60 in the exercise groups, explaining the variance of the corresponding parameter by 3.2%, 14% and 27%, respectively. Adding one increasing allele in the GPS increased baseline PTIM₆₀ by 4.73 Nm, and exercise-induced relative changes of SMM and PT_IM60 by 1.78% and 3.86% respectively. The identified genetic predisposition scores were positively related to baseline knee extension strength and muscle adaptations to exercise in healthy elderly. These findings provide supportive genetic explanations for high and low responders in exercise-induced muscle adaptations.

Analysis of sports-relevant polymorphisms in a large Brazilian cohort of top-level athletes

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of genetic variants associated with athletic phenotypes. Here, we selected a set of sports-relevant polymorphisms that have been previously suggested as genetic markers for human physical performance, and we examined their association with athletic status in a large cohort of Brazilians. We evaluated a sample of 1,622 individuals, in which 966 were nonathletes, and 656 were athletes: 328 endurance athletes and 328 power athletes. Only the AGT M268T minor allele was nominally associated with the endurance status. Conversely, we found that seven polymorphisms are more frequent in power athletes (MCT1 D490E, AGT M268T, PPARG P12A, PGC1A G482S, VEGFR2 Q472H, NOS3 C/T, and ACTN3 R577X). For all of these polymorphisms, power athletes were more likely than nonathletes or endurance athletes to carry the major allele or the homozygous genotype for the major allele. In particular, MCT1 D490E, AGT M268T, NOS3 C/T, and ACTN3 R577X showed stronger associations. Our findings support a role for these variants in the achievement of power athletic status in Brazilians: MCT1 D490E (T allele), AGT M268T (G allele), PPARG (C allele), PGC1A G482S (C allele), VEGFR2 Q472H (T allele), NOS3 C/T (T allele), and ACTN3 R577X (R allele).

Genetic testing for exercise prescription and injury prevention: AIS-Athlome consortium-FIMS joint statement

BACKGROUND

There has been considerable growth in basic knowledge and understanding of how genes are influencing response to exercise training and predisposition to injuries and chronic diseases. On the basis of this knowledge, clinical genetic tests may in the future allow the personalisation and optimisation of physical activity, thus providing an avenue for increased efficiency of exercise prescription for health and disease.

RESULTS

This review provides an overview of the current status of genetic testing for the purposes of exercise prescription and injury prevention. As such there are a variety of potential uses for genetic testing, including identification of risks associated with participation in sport and understanding individual response to particular types of exercise. However, there are many challenges remaining before genetic testing has evidence-based practical applications; including adoption of international standards for genomics research, as well as resistance against the agendas driven by direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies. Here we propose a way forward to develop an evidence-based approach to support genetic testing for exercise prescription and injury prevention.

CONCLUSION

Based on current knowledge, there is no current clinical application for genetic testing in the area of exercise prescription and injury prevention, however the necessary steps are outlined for the development of evidence-based clinical applications involving genetic testing.

MiR-696 Regulates C2C12 Cell Proliferation and Differentiation by Targeting CNTFRα

Micro-696 (miR-696) has been previously known as an exercise related miRNA, which has a profound role in fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis of skeletal muscle. However, its role in skeletal myoblast proliferation and differentiation is still unclear. In this study, we found that miR-696 expressed highly in skeletal muscle and reduced during C2C12 myoblasts differentiation. MiR-696 overexpression repressed C2C12 myoblast proliferation and myofiber formation, while knockdown of endogenous miR-696 expression showed opposite results. During myogenesis, we observed an inversed expression pattern between miR-696 and CNTFRα in vitro, and demonstrated that miR-696 could specifically target CNTFRα and repress the expression of CNTFRα. Additionally, we further found that knockdown of CNTFRα suppressed the proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 cells. Taking all things together, we propose a novel insight that miR-696 down-regulates C2C12 cell myogenesis by inhibiting CNTFRα expression.

Lack of replication of associations between multiple genetic polymorphisms and endurance athlete status in Japanese population

The aim of this study was to examine a polygenic profile related to endurance performance, based on current knowledge, in the Japanese population. We analyzed 21 genetic polymorphisms that have been reported to be associated with endurance performance and its related phenotypes in 175 endurance runners (60 international‐, 94 national‐, and 21 regional‐level) and 649 controls in the Japanese population. Then, we calculated the total genotype score (TGS) (maximum value of 100 for the theoretically optimum polygenic score) for endurance performance. There was no association between the TGS and endurance athlete status (Control: 49.0 ± 7.6, Regional: 47.3 ± 7.6, National: 49.1 ± 5.7, and International: 48.2 ± 7.0, P = 0.626). These results suggested that TGSs based on the 21 previously published endurance performance‐associated polymorphisms do not influence endurance running performance in the Japanese population. Nevertheless, some marginal tendencies have to be noted: the frequencies of the ACTN3 R577X rs1815739 RR+RX genotype and the GNB3 rs5443 CC+CT genotype were higher in international athletes than in controls (85% vs. 73.6%, P = 0.042 and 90% vs. 76%, P = 0.007, respectively), but not significantly different after Bonferroni correction.