Frequency of the MSTN Lys(K)-153Arg(R) polymorphism among track & field athletes and swimmers.
The myostatin (MSTN) Lys(K)-153Arg(R) polymorphism may influence skeletal muscle phenotypes. Carrying the rare R allele was associated with greater muscle mass.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of the MSTN Lys(K)-153Arg(R) polymorphism among Israeli track and field athletes (n=185) and swimmers (n=80).


METHODS
Track and field athletes were divided into long distance runners (major event 5000 m-marathon, n=113) and power athletes (major event 100200 m sprints and long jump, n=72). Swimmers were divided into long-distance swimmers (major event: 800-1500 m, n=38), and short-distance swimmers (major event: 50-100 m, n=42). The control group included 118 non-athletes healthy participants.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven track and field athletes (14.6%) and 7 swimmers (8.8%) were carriers of the rare MSTN R allele, and only two carried the 153RR genotype (0.8%). MSTN 153R allele frequency was significantly higher in top-compared to national-level among long-distance runners (26% versus 8%, p<0.05), short distance runners (16% versus 9%, p<0.05), and all runners combined (20% versus 8%, p<0.05), but not in top- compared to national-level swimmers. The frequency of arginine carriers was significantly greater among long compared to short-distance swimmers (16% versus 2%, p<0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to elite endurance and power track and field athletes, the MSTN 153RR genotype was not found in short distance-swimmers, and among the long distance-swimmers it was not associated with top level swimming performance. Whether evaluation of the MSTN K153R polymorphism can be used for sports selection in young athletes needs to be further studied.
The Zinman College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the Wingate Institute, Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Netanya 42902, Israel. Electronic address: sigalbz@wincol.ac.il.
Sigal
S
Ben-Zaken
The Zinman College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the Wingate Institute, Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Netanya 42902, Israel.
Yoav
Y
Meckel
Meir Medical Center, Child Health and Sports Center, Pediatric Department, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Dan
D
Nemet
The Zinman College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the Wingate Institute, Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Netanya 42902, Israel.
Moran
M
Rabinovich
Hillel-Yafe Medical Center, Pediatric Department, Hadera, Israel.
Eias
E
Kassem
Meir Medical Center, Child Health and Sports Center, Pediatric Department, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Alon
A
Eliakim
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055435:Myostatin / Q000235:genetics*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013550:Swimming; D014142:Track and Field; D055815:Young Adult
C525911:MSTN protein, human; D055435:Myostatin
MSTN polymorphism; Runners; Swimmers