Distribution of Angiotensin-1 Converting Enzyme Insertion/Deletion and α-Actinin-3 Codon 577 Polymorphisms in Turkish Male Soccer Players

Association of ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism with Elite Basketball Player Status and Training Responses

The α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene rs1815739 (C/T, R577X) polymorphism is a variant frequently associated with athletic performance among different populations. However, there is limited research on the impact of this variant on athlete status and physical performance in basketball players. Therefore, the aim of this study was twofold: (1) to determine the association of ACTN3 rs1815739 polymorphism with changes in physical performance in response to six weeks of training in elite basketball players using 30 m sprint and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (IR 2) tests, and (2) to compare ACTN3 genotype and allelic frequencies between elite basketball players and controls. The study included a total of 363 individuals, comprising 101 elite basketball players and 262 sedentary individuals. Genomic DNA was isolated from oral epithelial cells or leukocytes, and genotyping was performed by real-time PCR using KASP genotyping method or by microarray analysis. We found that the frequency of the ACTN3 rs1815739 XX genotype was significantly lower in basketball players compared to controls (10.9 vs. 21.4%, p = 0.023), suggesting that RR/RX genotypes were more favorable for playing basketball. Statistically significant (p = 0.045) changes were observed in Yo-Yo IRT 2 performance measurement tests in basketball players with the RR genotype only. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the carriage of the ACTN3 rs1815739 R allele may confer an advantage in basketball.

Genetic association research in football: A systematic review

Genetic variation is responsible for a large amount of the inter-individual performance disparities seen in sport. As such, in the last ten years genetic association studies have become more common; with one of the most frequently researched sports being football. However, the progress and methodological rigour of genetic association research in football is yet to be evaluated. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to identify and evaluate all genetic association studies involving football players and outline where and how future research should be directed. Firstly, a systematic search was conducted in the Pubmed and SPORTDiscus databases, which identified 80 eligible studies. Progression analysis revealed that 103 distinct genes have been investigated across multiple disciplines; however, research has predominately focused on the association of the ACTN3 or ACE gene. Furthermore, 55% of the total studies have been published within the last four years; showcasing that genetic association research in football is increasing at a substantial rate. However, there are several methodological inconsistencies which hinder research implications, such as; inadequate description or omission of ethnicity and on-field positions. Furthermore, there is a limited amount of research on several key areas crucial to footballing performance, in particular; psychological related traits. Moving forward, improved research designs, larger sample sizes, and the utilisation of genome-wide and polygenic profiling approaches are recommended. Finally, we introduce the Football Gene Project, which aims to address several of these limitations and ultimately facilitate greater individualised athlete development within football.

ACE/ACTN3 GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE OF FEMALE SOCCER PLAYERS`

ABSTRACT Objective: Previous studies have shown controversial relationships between ACE and ACTN3 gene polymorphisms and sports performance. Thus, the aim of our study was to assess anaerobic and aerobic performance indicators of young female soccer players with different ACE/ACTN3 gene profiles. Methods: Twenty-seven female soccer players aged 16-18 underwent acceleration, speed, strength, anaerobic power and aerobic endurance tests and had their ACE and ACTN3 polymorphisms determined. Results: Based on genetic analysis, they were divided into the following groups: ACE II (n=2), ACE ID (n=11), ACE DD (n=14), ACTN3 XX (n=5), ACTN3 RR (n=7) and ACTN3 RX (n=15). ACE DD and ACE ID groups differed significantly in terms of results achieved on the 5 m sprint test (1.15±0.05 s vs 1.10±0.05 s, P=0.42). ACTN3 RR and RX achieved better results than the ACTN3 XX group in seven continuous vertical jumps (26.57±1.59 cm vs 25.77±2.51 cm vs 22.86±1.16 cm, respectively; P=0.007 for RR vs XX and P=0.021 for RX vs XX). Conclusion: High prevalence of ACE DD and ACTN3 RX genotypes in our subjects may suggest that faster and more powerful young females tend to perform better in soccer. Nevertheless, the absence of differences in most of the physical test results indicates that different genotypes are compatible with high-level soccer performance, meaning that it is the phenotype-genotype interaction that makes a successful female soccer player. Level of Evidence I, Prognostic studies — Investigating the effect of a patient characteristic on disease outcome.

Variation in the Ace Gene in Elite Polish Football Players

Purpose. A common polymorphism in the angiotensin converting enzyme I gene (the ACE I/D variant) represents one of the first characterized and the most widely studied genetic variants in the context of elite athletes status and performance related traits. The aim of the study was to determine the genotype and allele distribution of the allele and genotype of the ACE gene in Polish male football players. Methods. The total of 106 Polish male professional football players were recruited. They were divided into groups according to the position in the field: forwards, defenders, midfielders, and goalkeepers. For controls, samples were prepared with 115 unrelated volunteers. DNA was extracted from the buccal cells donated by the subjects, and the PCR amplification of the polymorphic region of the ACE gene containing either the insertion (I) or deletion (D) fragment was performed. Results. The genotype distribution and allele frequencies among all football players did not differ significantly when compared with sedentary control individuals (p = 0.887, p = 0.999, respectively). Likewise, the analysis of forwards, defenders, midfielders, and goalkeepers revealed no significant differences in either ACE genotype or allele frequencies. Conclusions. We did not provide evidence for difference of variation of the ACE I/D polymorphism between Polish football players and controls, as we did not obtain any statistically significantly higher frequency of either of the analysed alleles (I and D) or genotypes (DD, ID, and II) in the studied subgroups. It may be suspected that harbouring of I/D allelic variants of the ACE gene neither decreases nor increases the probability of being a professional football player in Poland.