title: Genetic Variability Among Power Athletes: The Stronger vs. the Faster.
abstract: Ben-Zaken, S, Eliakim, A, Nemet, D, and Meckel, Y. Genetic variability among power athletes: the stronger vs. the faster. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-Athletic events can be divided into "aerobic-type events" or "anaerobic-type events" based on energy usage. Power, speed, and strength are also used to specify sports subtypes. Weightlifters (WLs), sprinters, and jumpers feature high-intensity efforts lasting a few seconds. However, their performance requires different proportions of power, speed, and strength. The aim of the current study was to examine genetic differences between subtypes of anaerobic athletes in 3 genetic variants: ACTN3 R577X, which is associated with muscle contractions; AGT Met235Thr which is associated with muscle growth; and PPARD T/C, which is associated with aerobic capacity. Seventy-one sprinters and jumpers (S/J), 54 WLs, and 86 controls participated in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using a standard protocol. Genotypes were determined using a TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. The ACTN3 RR genotype frequency was significantly higher among S/J (39.4%) compared with WLs (22.2%) and controls (18.6%). The AGT Thr-Thr genotype frequency was significantly higher among WLs (25.9%) compared with S/J (4.2%) and controls (12.8%). PPARD T294C genotype frequencies did not differ between groups. The results suggest that there may be a specific genetic makeup enabling an athlete to excel in speed-oriented events (sprints), rather than in strength-oriented events (weightlifting).
authors: 1Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, The Zinman College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel; and 2Child Health and Sports Center, Pediatric Department, Meir Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Kfar-Saba, Israel.
authors: Sigal
authors: S
authors: Ben-Zaken
authors: Alon
authors: A
authors: Eliakim
authors: Dan
authors: D
authors: Nemet
authors: Yoav
authors: Y
authors: Meckel
mesh_terms: D000185:Actinin / Q000235:genetics*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D000808:Angiotensinogen / Q000235:genetics*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000235:genetics; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000235:genetics; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000254:growth & development; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000235:genetics; D047494:PPAR delta / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C118456:ACTN3 protein, human; C534931:AGT protein, human; D047494:PPAR delta; D000808:Angiotensinogen; D000185:Actinin