Background: The relationship between bone metabolism-related gene polymorphisms and low bone mineral density (BMD) risk factors in female athletes is unclear. This study aimed at investigating whether the sensitivity of low BMD risk factors to BMD depends on estrogen receptor α (ERα) gene polymorphisms in Japanese female athletes. Materials and Methods: This study included 280 collegiate female athletes from 12 competitive sports (age, 19.2 ± 1.3 years). Data on sports participation, age at menarche, menstrual cycles, prior stress fractures, and prior eating disorders were obtained through a questionnaire-type survey. Sports types were classified into endurance, esthetic, aquatic, ball, and high load in consideration of exercise load characteristics. ERα gene Pvu II (rs2234693) and Xba I (rs9340799) polymorphisms were analyzed by TaqMan ® assay. The total body BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: On multiple regression analysis, sports types, body mass index (BMI), menarche, and Xba I polymorphism remained robust independent predictors of BMD. However, prior stress fractures and menstrual cycles were excluded. In athletes carrying the XX+Xx genotype of Xba I polymorphism, sports types and BMI were associated with BMD. However, in athletes carrying the xx genotype of Xba I polymorphism, sports types, BMI, and menarche were associated with BMD. These results indicated that athletes carrying the xx genotype with delayed menarche had low BMD. Conclusions: In collegiate female athletes, participation in endurance, esthetic, and aquatic sports types and a low BMI are associated with low BMD. In addition, delayed menarche may negatively affect BMD in athletes carrying the xx type of ERα gene Xba I polymorphism.
The aim of this study was to clarify the relationships between muscle power and bone mineral density (BMD) and the α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) R577X polymorphism in Japanese female collegiate athletes participating in sports with various mechanical-load characteristics. This study included 260 female collegiate athletes involved in 10 competitive sports and 26 controls (mean ages, 19.2 ± 1.2 and 19.7 ± 1.3 years, respectively). The sports were classified into 3 categories (low-impact, multidirectional, and high-impact) based on the exercise load characteristics. Data on sports participation and competition experience were obtained through a questionnaire-type survey. The maximum anaerobic power (MAnP) test was performed to measure muscle power. The total body BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism (rs1815739) was analyzed using a TaqMan® assay. The multidirectional sports participants with the RR genotype of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism had a higher BMD than those with the RX and RX + XX genotypes (P = .018 and P = .003, respectively). The RR genotype was also associated with a higher MAnP than those with the RX + XX genotypes (P = .035). No other variables related to BMD and MAnP were significantly different. Our results suggests that the RR genotype may confer high trainability for BMD and muscle power in Japanese female collegiate athletes participating in multidirectional sport types. However, these associations were not found in the athletes participating in the low-and high-impact sport types.Abbreviations: ACTN3 = α-actinin-3, BMD = bone mineral density, BMI = body mass index, DEXA = dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, MAnP = maximum anaerobic power, PCR = polymerase chain reaction.
The number of people taking nutritional supplements has increased rapidly due to heightened health consciousness; however, cases of doping through supplement intake have also increased. Therefore, pharmacists need to share not only instructions related to medication, but also anti-doping (AD) directions for supplements with athletes. However, reports on the use of supplements in athletes are limited, and the actual situation is unknown. Then, we conducted a questionnaire survey on 1,249 physical education university students regarding the use of supplements and their awareness on doping. We also examined the steps that need to be taken by pharmacists to facilitate AD. We found that 60% of the respondents had taken supplements, 50% of whom (i.e., 30% of the total respondents) continued to do so. Furthermore, 40% took multiple supplements and were at risk of ʻinadvertent doping.ʼ Most of the respondents took supplements for improving muscle strength, fatigue recovery, and malnutrition. Furthermore, friends and seniors were often the triggers for supplement intake, suggesting that leaders and teams were also involved. Since many respondents purchased supplements at drug stores, it is important for pharmacists to educate athletes and their leaders about AD. Further, supplements, like pharmaceuticals, are constantly advancing and therefore pharmacists need to expand their knowledge and strive to expand their role.
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