Elite athletes and the gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme.
The deletion (D) allele of the gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is associated with higher plasma and tissue levels of the enzyme and has also been related to a variety of cardiovascular complications, particularly myocardial infarction. On the basis of indirect evidence, we hypothesized that inheritance of the D allele would contribute to elite athletic ability. Over a period of 4 yr, 120 Caucasian athletes who were national (Australian) representatives in sports demanding a high level of aerobic fitness were recruited. Their ACE genotypes were compared with those of a community control group recruited randomly from the electoral roll. There was no difference in ACE genotype frequencies between the two groups. The DD genotype frequency was 30% in athletes and 29% in the control group, and the II genotype frequency was 22.5 and 22%, respectively. The results do not exclude the possibility that ACE genotype could be related to some attribute relating to a specific type of elite athletic ability or that there may be a difference between genders. Larger studies are desirable.
Taylor
R R
RR
Departments of Cardiology and Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital and The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6001, Australia. heletoey@rph.health.wa.gov.au
Mamotte
C D
CD
Fallon
K
K
van Bockxmeer
F M
FM
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*
D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A