Classical twin studies that presented heritability rates associated with performance in various sports disciplines support the value of genetics in determining the response. In addition, numerous trials involving physiological responses such as hypertrophy, energy expenditure, vasodilation, cardiac output
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Gustavo Monnerat, Alex S. Maior, Marcio Tannure, Lia K.F.C. Back, and Caleb G.M. Santos
Gabriel Rodríguez-Romo, Thomas Yvert, Alfonso de Diego, Catalina Santiago, Alfonso L. Díaz de Durana, Vicente Carratalá, Nuria Garatachea, and Alejandro Lucia
The authors compared ACTN3 R577X genotype and allele frequencies in the majority of all-time-best Spanish judo male athletes (n = 108) and 343 ethnically matched nonathletic men. No between-groups differences were found in allele (P = .077) or genotype distributions (P = .178). Thus, the R577X polymorphism was not significantly associated with the status of being an elite judo athlete, at least in the Spanish population. The contribution of genetics to sports-related phenotype traits is undeniable with some genotypes, of which ACTN3 R577X is currently the leading candidate, partly distinguishing individuals predisposed to either endurance or power sports. However, few athletic events can be categorized as purely power or endurance based. Although genetic testing (ie, for ACTN3 R577X) is already being marketed to predict sports talent and potential of young children, its usefulness is still questionable, at least in competitive judo.
Sharon Ann Plowman
The last decade has seen a shift in emphasis from the goal of attaining physical fitness (a product) to the behavior of physical activity (a process) to achieve health benefits. A central question is whether the achievement of physical fitness (PF) is necessary or if participation in physical activity (PA) is sufficient. Three basic tenets of this shift are examined by using representative studies. They are: (1) both PA and PF will lead to health benefits; PF is simply a surrogate measure for PA, (2) the impact of genetics will be avoided if PA, not PF, is emphasized and that is desirable, and (3) it is easier to motivate “the masses” to accumulate lifestyle moderate activity than to undergo a vigorous exercise prescription. Results indicate that PA and PF might be independent risk factors, that both have a degree of genetic determination, and that participation rates for PA have changed little and remain insufficient. Both PA and PF need to be evaluated, promoted, and attained.
Sari Aaltonen, Teemu Palviainen, Richard J. Rose, Urho M. Kujala, Jaakko Kaprio, and Karri Silventoinen
. Genetics of regular exercise and sedentary behaviors . Twin Res Hum Genet . 2014 ; 17 ( 4 ): 262 – 271 . PubMed ID: 25034445 doi:10.1017/thg.2014.42 10.1017/thg.2014.42 14. Lightfoot JT , Geus E. J. C. DE , Booth FW , et al . Biological/genetic regulation of physical activity level: consensus
Peter J. Whalley, Chey G. Dearing, and Carl D. Paton
. Increases in cycling performance in response to caffeine ingestion are repeatable . Nutr Res . 2012 ; 32 : 78 – 84 . PubMed ID: 22348455 doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2011.12.001 22348455 10.1016/j.nutres.2011.12.001 23. Southward K , Rutherford-Markwick K , Badenhorst C , Ali A . The role of genetics
Mohanraj Krishnan, Andrew N. Shelling, Clare R. Wall, Edwin A. Mitchell, Rinki Murphy, Lesley M.E. McCowan, and John M.D. Thompson
.healthplace.2016.09.003 27771443 15. Grimm ER , Steinle NI . Genetics of eating behavior: established and emerging concepts . Nutr Rev . 2011 ; 69 ( 1 ): 52 – 60 . PubMed doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2010.00361.x 21198635 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2010.00361.x 16. Hill JO , Wyatt HR , Peters JC . Energy
Gaston Beunen, Martine Thomis, Maarten Peeters, Hermine H. Maes, Albrecht L. Claessens, and Robert Vlietinck
The aim of this study is to quantify the genetic and environmental variation in isometric and explosive strength (power) in children and adolescents, using structural equation models. Arm pull (static strength) and vertical jump (explosive strength, power) were measured in 105 twin pairs from the Leuven Longitudinal Twin Study. Boys and girls were tested at annual intervals between 10 and 16 years and at 18 years. Path models were fitted to the observed strength characteristics and a gender heterogeneity analysis was performed at each age level. A model including additive genetic and specific environmental factors (AE-model) allowing for a difference in total phenotypic variance or in genetic/environmental variance components in boys and girls best explains both strength characteristics at most age levels. The additive genetic contribution for isometric strength varies between a2 = .44 and a2 = .83, and for explosive strength between a2 = .47 and a2 = .92, except at 16 years in males. In conclusion there is good evidence that during the growth period both static and explosive strength are under moderate to moderately strong genetic influence.
Joey C. Eisenmann and Keith Tolfrey
Jane A. Kent and Kate L. Hayes
classical molecular biology, genetics, biophysics, biochemistry, and physiology have all contributed to the current understanding of skeletal muscle contraction at the molecular level. At the cellular level, advances in biotechnology have allowed for the novel identification and visualization of cells and
João Paulo Limongi França Guilherme and Antonio Herbert Lancha Jr.
Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine), abundantly found in skeletal muscle, plays an important role during exercise, especially for high-intensity contractions. Variability in muscle carnosine content between individuals exists and may also be explained by different genetic bases, although no study has addressed the association of polymorphisms in genes related to carnosine metabolism in athletes. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the carnosinase genes (CNDP1 and CNDP2) in a large Brazilian cohort of athletes and nonathletes. Eight SNPs were compared between a representative cohort of elite athletes from Brazil (n = 908) and a paired group of nonathletes (n = 967). The athletes were stratified into three groups: endurance (n = 328), power (n = 415), and combat (n = 165). The CNDP2 rs6566810 (A/A genotype) is overrepresented in endurance athletes, but only in international-level endurance athletes. Three SNPs (CNDP2 rs3764509, CNDP2-CNDP1 rs2346061, and CNDP1 rs2887) were overrepresented in power athletes compared with nonathletes. Carriers of the minor allele had an increased odds ratio of being a power athlete. For the rs2346061, no significant difference was observed in genotype frequencies between power and combat sports athletes, but for rs2887 the power and combat groups showed an inverse genotype distribution. In conclusion, we found that minor alleles carriers for CNDP2 rs3764509 (G-allele), CNDP2-CNDP1 rs2346061 (C-allele), and CNDP1 rs2887 (A-allele) are more likely to be a power athlete. These polymorphisms may be novel genetic markers for power athletes. Furthermore, these results are suggestive of a distinct CNDP genotype for sporting development.
