ACTN3 Genotype and Swimming Performance in Taiwan

Abstract

Studies have shown that the 577R allele of α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) is more prevalent in sprint athletes than in the general population or in endurance athletes. We examined the distribution of ACTN3 R577X (rs 1815739) genotypes and alleles in the Taiwanese general population (603) and in elite sprint swimmers who had participated in international/national events (168). Additionally, 50 pre-adolescent (age 11-13 years) male students and 38 adult males who completed 12-weeks of swimming training, were included in the present study. We found that the frequencies of the R allele were significantly higher in female international sprint swimmers (67.6%) than in national sprint swimmers (50.0%) or in the general population (53.7%). The 25-m performance was significantly improved across the genotypes after swimming training among the pre-adolescent males but not among the adult males. In addition, pre-adolescents with the RR genotype had the best performance both before and after training although not statistically significant. In conclusion, the frequencies of ACTN3 577R allele were significantly higher in female international sprint swimmers than among national sprint swimmers or the general population. Furthermore, male pre-adolescents with either the ACTN3 RX or XX genotype showed a greater improvement in 25-meter swimming performance than those with the RR genotype.

Current Progress in Sports Genomics

“…More specifically, Yang et al [183] for the first time have shown that the frequency of the ACTN3 XX genotype was reduced in Australian power athletes (n ¼ 107; 6.0% vs. 20.0%) compared to controls, whereas none of the Olympians or female power athletes had an XX genotype. These findings have been supported by the independent replications in case-control studies of elite Finnish sprint athletes (n ¼ 68; frequency of the XX genotype: 0% vs. 9.2%) [115], elite Greek track-and-field athletes (n ¼ 73; frequency of the RR genotype: 47.94% vs. 25.97%) [184], top-level professional soccer players, participating in the Spanish Championships (n ¼ 60; frequency of the RR genotype: 48.3% vs. 28.5%) [185], elite-level strength athletes from across the United States (n ¼ 75; frequency of the XX genotype: 6.7% vs. 16.3%) [186], Russian power-oriented athletes (n ¼ 486; frequency of the XX genotype: 6.4% vs. 14.2%) [187], Italian artistic gymnasts (n ¼ 35; frequency of the XX genotype: 2.8% vs. 18.8%) [188], Taiwanese sprint swimmers (n ¼ 168; frequency of the R allele in female international sprint swimmers: 67.6% vs. 53.7%) [189], Israeli sprinters (n ¼ 81; frequency of the RR genotype: 52% vs. 27.3%) [190], Russian short-distance speed skaters (n ¼ 39; frequency of the XX genotype: 2.6% vs. 14.5%) [191], Polish power-oriented athletes (n ¼ 158; frequency of the R allele: 69.3% vs. 59.6%) [192], and 134 Japanese sprint/power athletes [193]. It should be noted that several studies reported no association between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and power athlete status [36,162,182,194].…”

ACE I/D, ACTN3 R577X, PPARD T294C and PPARGC1A Gly482Ser polymorphisms and physical fitness in Taiwanese late adolescent girls

“…Clarkson et al [37] and Walsh et al [38] reported that women with the ACTN3 XX genotype have lower strength than those with the RX genotype. Chiu et al [39] reported that The bold values indicate that there is a significant difference in the post hoc test using the a,f Scheffe and b-e Mann-Whitney U tests pre-adolescents with the ACTN3 RR genotype exhibited the best performance across all phases (before, during, and after training) of 25-m swimming performance. However, in older women (64 years), knee extensor concentric peak power was found to be higher in X allele homozygote individuals compared with RR genotype individuals [40].…”

ACTN3 R577X genotype and performance of elite middle-long distance swimmers in China

“…The ACTN3 genotypes of the general population and swimmers were determined using the PCR-RFLP technique and time of flight mass spectrometry respectively [13–14]. The gene sequencing method was used to judge the accuracy of the test results.…”