CK-MM Polymorphism is Associated With Physical Fitness Test Scores in Military Recruits.
OBJECTIVE
Muscle-specific creatine kinase is thought to play an integral role in maintaining energy homeostasis by providing a supply of creatine phosphate. The genetic variant, rs8111989, contributes to individual differences in physical performance, and thus the purpose of this study was to determine if rs8111989 variant is predictive of Physical Fitness Test (PFT) scores in male, military infantry recruits.


METHODS
DNA was extracted from whole blood, and genotyping was performed in 176 Marines. Relationships between PFT measures (run, sit-ups, and pull-ups) and genotype were determined.


RESULTS
Participants with 2 copies of the T allele for rs8111989 variant had higher PFT scores for run time, pull-ups, and total PFT score. Specifically, participants with 2 copies of the TT allele (variant) (n = 97) demonstrated an overall higher total PFT score as compared with those with one copy of the C allele (n = 79) (TT: 250 ± 31 vs.
238 ± 31; p = 0.02), run score (TT: 82 ± 10 vs.
78 ± 11; p = 0.04) and pull-up score (TT: 78 ± 11 vs.
65 ± 21; p = 0.04) or those with the CC/CT genotype.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate an association between physical performance measures and genetic variation in the muscle-specific creatine kinase gene (rs8111989).
Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Room 5700, Washington, DC 20010.
Courtney
C
Sprouse
School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2121 I Street NW, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052.
Laura L
LL
Tosi
Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Room 5700, Washington, DC 20010.
Heather
H
Gordish-Dressman
Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Room 5700, Washington, DC 20010.
Mai S
MS
Abdel-Ghani
Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Room 5700, Washington, DC 20010.
Karuna
K
Panchapakesan
Warfighter Performance Department, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA 92106.
Brenda
B
Niederberger
Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Room 5700, Washington, DC 20010.
Joseph M
JM
Devaney
Warfighter Performance Department, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA 92106.
Karen R
KR
Kelly
D000293:Adolescent; D052283:Creatine Kinase, MM Form / Q000235:genetics*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010809:Physical Fitness; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
D052283:Creatine Kinase, MM Form