Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme/Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Predicting Athletic Performances of Italian Young Soccer Players

Abstract

We evaluated the association between 2 genetic polymorphisms known to be involved in fitness and performance, and anthropometric features, body composition, and athletic performances in young male soccer players with the goal of identifying genetic profiles that can be used to achieve maximal results from training. One hundred twenty-five medium-high-level male soccer players were genotyped for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D, and vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI gene polymorphisms and scored for anthropometric measurements, body composition, and athletic performance. Body mass index, fat mass, fat-free mass, resistance, reactance, impedance, phase angle (PA), and body cell mass were measured. Athletic performance was evaluated by squat jump, countermovement jump (CMJ), 2-kg medicine ball throw, 10- and 20-m sprint time. We observed that the homozygous ff genotype of the VDR gene was significantly more represented in young soccer players than in a matched sedentary population. Values of reactance and PA were differently distributed in ACE and VDR genotypes with high mean values in subjects with DD (ACE) and FF (VDR) genotypes. No correlation was observed between ACE or VDR genotypes and 2-kg medicine ball throw, 10- and 20-m sprint times. The ID genotype of ACE was associated with the best performances in squat jump and CMJ. Our results suggest that determination of ACE and VDR genotypes might help select those young athletes harboring the most favorable genetic potential to succeed in soccer.

Current Progress in Sports Genomics

“…Hopkinson et al [245] have found that both patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n ¼ 107) and control subjects (n ¼ 104) who were homozygous for the C allele of the FokI polymorphism had less quadriceps strength than did those with TC or TT genotype. Micheli et al [246] have observed significant differences in VDR FokI genotype frequencies between medium-high-level male soccer players (n ¼ 125) and sedentary controls. Homozygous TT genotype of the VDR gene was significantly more represented in young soccer players than in a matched sedentary population.…”

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and musculoskeletal injuries in professional football players

“…Furthermore, VDR expression levels reduce with age and VDR genotypes have been associated with fat-free mass and strength in elderly individuals (40). Few studies have specifically examined the association between VDR polymorphisms and exercise training, and to the best of our knowledge only one study has analyzed the association between VDR polymorphisms and football performance (23). A previous study (41) observed a significant increase in the expression levels of VDR at day 7 of muscle regeneration.…”

“…A recent study aimed to assess vitamin D levels in professional American football players and to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and ethnic group, fracture history, and the ability to obtain a contract position (19 (20,21). Thus, the performance of professional football players and their susceptibility to injury may be influenced by genetic factors (22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34).…”

The genetics of sports injuries and athletic performance

“…Some other gene polymorphisms have been associated with sport performance, although results are still preliminary or controversial. These include polymorphisms in the alpha2a-adrenoceptor gene (ADRA2A) 179 , bradykinin beta 2 receptor (BDKRB2) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) genes 180 , vitamin D receptor gene 181,182 , and AT-Pase, Ca2+ transporting, cardiac muscle, slow twitch 2 (ATP2A2), the NUAK family, SNF1-like kinase, 1 (NUAK1), and the protein phosphatase 1, catalytic subunit, gamma isoform (PPP1CC) genes 183 .…”