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Konopka MJ, Keizer H, Rietjens G, Zeegers MP, Sperlich B. A critical examination of sport discipline typology: identifying inherent limitations and deficiencies in contemporary classification systems. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1389844. [PMID: 39050482 PMCID: PMC11266029 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1389844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Exercise scientists (especially in the field of biomolecular research) frequently classify athletic cohorts into categories such as endurance, strength, or mixed, and create a practical framework for studying diverse athletic populations between seemingly similar groups. It is crucial to recognize the limitations and complexities of these classifications, as they may oversimplify the multidimensional characteristics of each sport. If so, the validity of studies dealing with such approaches may become compromised and the comparability across different studies challenging or impossible. This perspective critically examines and highlights the issues associated with current sports typologies, critiques existing sports classification systems, and emphasizes the imperative for a universally accepted classification model to enhance the quality of biomolecular research of sports in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Johanna Konopka
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Institute for Healthcare Management and Health Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Hans Keizer
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Gerard Rietjens
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maurice Petrus Zeegers
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- MPB Holding, Heerlen, Netherlands
| | - Billy Sperlich
- Integrative and Experimental Exercise Science and Training, Institute of Sport Science, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Sjúrðarson T, Kristiansen J, Nordsborg NB, Gregersen NO, Lydersen LN, Grove EL, Kristensen SD, Hvas AM, Mohr M. The angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism does not impact training-induced adaptations in exercise capacity in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18300. [PMID: 37880303 PMCID: PMC10600103 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45542-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Systematic exercise training effectively improves exercise capacity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), but the magnitude of improvements is highly heterogeneous. We investigated whether this heterogeneity in exercise capacity gains is influenced by the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene. Patients with CAD (n = 169) were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of exercise training or standard care, and 142 patients completed the study. The ACE polymorphism was determined for 128 patients (82% males, 67 ± 9 years). Peak oxygen uptake was measured before and after the 12-week intervention. The ACE I/D polymorphism frequency was n = 48 for D/D homozygotes, n = 61 for I/D heterozygotes and n = 19 for I/I homozygotes. Baseline peak oxygen uptake was 23.3 ± 5.0 ml/kg/min in D/D homozygotes, 22.1 ± 5.3 ml/kg/min in I/D heterozygotes and 23.1 ± 6.0 ml/kg/min in I/I homozygotes, with no statistical differences between genotype groups (P = 0.50). The ACE I/D polymorphism frequency in the exercise group was n = 26 for D/D, n = 21 for I/D and n = 12 for I/I. After exercise training, peak oxygen uptake was increased (P < 0.001) in D/D homozygotes by 2.6 ± 1.7 ml/kg/min, in I/D heterozygotes by 2.7 ± 1.9 ml/kg/min, and in I/I homozygotes by 2.1 ± 1.3 ml/kg/min. However, the improvements were similar between genotype groups (time × genotype, P = 0.55). In conclusion, the ACE I/D polymorphism does not affect baseline exercise capacity or exercise capacity gains in response to 12 weeks of high-intensity exercise training in patients with stable CAD.Clinical trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04268992).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tórur Sjúrðarson
- Center of Health Science, Faculty of Health, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacobina Kristiansen
- Department of Medicine, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nikolai B Nordsborg
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Noomi O Gregersen
- Center of Health Science, Faculty of Health, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- FarGen, the Faroese Health Authority, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | | | - Erik L Grove
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Steen D Kristensen
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Magni Mohr
- Center of Health Science, Faculty of Health, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5250, Odense, Denmark.
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Konopka MJ, Sperlich B, Rietjens G, Zeegers MP. Genetics and athletic performance: a systematic SWOT analysis of non-systematic reviews. Front Genet 2023; 14:1232987. [PMID: 37621703 PMCID: PMC10445150 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1232987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Exercise genetics/genomics is a growing research discipline comprising several Strengths and Opportunities but also deals with Weaknesses and Threats. This "systematic SWOT overview of non-systematic reviews" (sSWOT) aimed to identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats linked to exercise genetics/genomics. A systematic search was conducted in the Medline and Embase databases for non-systematic reviews to provide a comprehensive overview of the current literature/research area. The extracted data was thematically analyzed, coded, and categorized into SWOT clusters. In the 45 included reviews five Strengths, nine Weaknesses, six Opportunities, and three Threats were identified. The cluster of Strengths included "advances in technology", "empirical evidence", "growing research discipline", the "establishment of consortia", and the "acceptance/accessibility of genetic testing". The Weaknesses were linked to a "low research quality", the "complexity of exercise-related traits", "low generalizability", "high costs", "genotype scores", "reporting bias", "invasive methods", "research progress", and "causality". The Opportunities comprised of "precision exercise", "omics", "multicenter studies", as well as "genetic testing" as "commercial"-, "screening"-, and "anti-doping" detection tool. The Threats were related to "ethical issues", "direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies", and "gene doping". This overview of the present state of the art research in sport genetics/genomics indicates a field with great potential, while also drawing attention to the necessity for additional advancement in methodological and ethical guidance to mitigate the recognized Weaknesses and Threats. The recognized Strengths and Opportunities substantiate the capability of genetics/genomics to make significant contributions to the performance and wellbeing of athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Johanna Konopka
- Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Billy Sperlich
- Integrative and Experimental Exercise Science and Training, Institute of Sport Science, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gerard Rietjens
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maurice Petrus Zeegers
- Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Konopka MJ, van den Bunder JCML, Rietjens G, Sperlich B, Zeegers MP. Genetics of long-distance runners and road cyclists-A systematic review with meta-analysis. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2022; 32:1414-1429. [PMID: 35839336 PMCID: PMC9544934 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify the genetic variants of (inter)national competing long-distance runners and road cyclists compared with controls. The Medline and Embase databases were searched until 15 November 2021. Eligible articles included genetic epidemiological studies published in English. A homogenous group of endurance athletes competing at (inter)national level and sedentary controls were included. Pooled odds ratios based on the genotype frequency with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using random effects models. Heterogeneity was addressed by Q-statistics, and I2 . Sources of heterogeneity were examined by meta-regression and risk of bias was assessed with the Clark Baudouin scale. This systematic review comprised of 43 studies including a total of 3938 athletes and 10 752 controls in the pooled analysis. Of the 42 identified genetic variants, 13 were investigated in independent studies. Significant associations were found for five polymorphisms. Pooled odds ratio [95%CI] favoring athletes compared with controls was 1.42 [1.12-1.81] for ACE II (I/D), 1.66 [1.26-2.19] for ACTN3 TT (rs1815739), 1.75 [1.34-2.29] for PPARGC1A GG (rs8192678), 2.23 [1.42-3.51] for AMPD1 CC (rs17602729), and 2.85 [1.27-6.39] for HFE GG + CG (rs1799945). Risk of bias was low in 25 (58%) and unclear in 18 (42%) articles. Heterogeneity of the results was low (0%-20%) except for HFE (71%), GNB3 (80%), and NOS3 (76%). (Inter)national competing runners and cyclists have a higher probability to carry specific genetic variants compared with controls. This study confirms that (inter)national competing endurance athletes constitute a unique genetic make-up, which likely contributes to their performance level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Johanna Konopka
- Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI)Maastricht UniversityMaastrichtThe Netherlands,Department of EpidemiologyMaastricht University Medical CentreMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | | | - Gerard Rietjens
- Department of Human Physiology and Sports MedicineVrije Universiteit BrusselBrusselsBelgium
| | - Billy Sperlich
- Integrative & Experimental Exercise Science & Training, Institute of Sport ScienceUniversity of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Maurice Petrus Zeegers
- Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI)Maastricht UniversityMaastrichtThe Netherlands,Department of EpidemiologyMaastricht University Medical CentreMaastrichtThe Netherlands,School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM)Maastricht UniversityMaastrichtThe Netherlands
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