title: The combined frequency of IGF and myostatin polymorphism among track & field athletes and swimmers.
abstract: The IGF C-1245T (rs35767) and the myostatin (MSTN) Lys(K)-153Arg(R) genetic polymorphism may influence skeletal muscle phenotypes and athletic performance. Carrying the minor IGF T allele and the myostatin rare R allele was associated with higher circulating IGF-I levels, greater muscle mass and improved performance. The aim of the present study was to assess the combined frequency of the IGF 1245T (rs35767) and MSTN 153Arg(R) polymorphism among Israeli track and field athletes (n=111) and swimmers (n=80).
  
  
  
  Track & field athletes were divided to long distance runners (major event 5000m-marathon, n=63) and power athletes (major event 100-200m sprints and long jump, n=48). Swimmers were divided into long-distance swimmers (major event: 400-1500m, n=38), and short-distance swimmers (major event: 50-100m, n=42).
  
  
  
  Carrying both mutations was significantly higher (p<0.05) among long distance runners (LDR, 17%) compared to short distance runners (SDR, 10%), long distance swimmers (LDS, 8%), short distance swimmers (SDS, 2%) and controls (n=111, 7%). Carrying both mutations was significantly higher (p<0.05) among LDS compared to SDS (8% versus 2%, p<0.05). Among LDR and LDS carriers of both mutations, 40% and 25% were of elite level, respectively. Despite the fact that carrying both mutations among SDR and SDS was not greater than controls, all SDR and SDS carriers were elite athletes.
  
  
  
  Our finding suggests that carrying both IGF 1245T and MSTN 153Arg(R) polymorphisms may contribute for long distance running success but not necessarily to elite performance. In contrast, although the frequency was not higher than the general population, all carriers of both mutations among short distance runners and swimmers were of elite competitive caliber. Whether evaluation of the IGF 1245T and MSTN 153R polymorphism can be used for sports selection in young athletes needs to be further studied.
authors.affiliation: The Zinman College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Wingate Institute, Israel. Electronic address: Sigalbz@wincol.ac.il.
authors.forename: Sigal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ben-Zaken
authors.affiliation: The Zinman College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Wingate Institute, Israel.
authors.forename: Yoav
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Meckel
authors.affiliation: Meir Medical Center, Child Health and Sports Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nemet
authors.affiliation: Meir Medical Center, Child Health and Sports Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: Alon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eliakim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055435:Myostatin / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D014142:Track and Field; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C583557:IGF1 protein, human; C525911:MSTN protein, human; D055435:Myostatin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
keywords: Athletic performance; Genetic polymorphism; IGF1; MSTN