Can we predict top‐level sports performance in power vs endurance events? A genetic approach

Abstract

The goal of our study was to discriminate potential genetic differences between humans who are in both endpoints of the sports performance continuum (i.e. world-class endurance vs power athletes). We used DNA-microarray technology that included 36 genetic variants (within 20 different genes) to compare the genetic profile obtained in two cohorts of world-class endurance (N=100) and power male athletes (N=53) of the same ethnic origin. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression showed that the rs1800795 (IL6-174 G/C), rs1208 (NAT2 K268R) and rs2070744 (NOS3-786 T/C) polymorphisms significantly predicted sport performance (model χ(2) =25.3, df=3, P-value <0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed a significant discriminating accuracy of the model, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.66-0.81). The contribution of the studied genetic factors to sports performance was 21.4%. In summary, although an individual's potential for excelling in endurance or power sports can be partly predicted based on specific genetic variants (many of which remain to be identified), the contribution of complex gene-gene interactions, environmental factors and epigenetic mechanisms are also important contributors to the "complex trait" of being an athletic champion. Such trait is likely not reducible to defined genetic polymorphisms.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase g894t (rs1799983) gene polymorphism in polish athletes

“…Cieszczyk et al [34] found no evidence of association between G894T and endurance performance in elite Polish rowers. Likewise, no differences in allele and genotype frequencies of the Glu298Asp were found by Buxens et al [35] between elite Spanish Caucasian elite endurance and poweroriented athletes.…”

“…control studies have failed to find any association between this variant and endurance athlete status [6, 34,35]. In the Geneathlete cohort, Wolfarth et al…”

“…Nonetheless, it would be wrong to draw reasonable conclusions from the linkage between two markers only. In fact, Buxens et al [35] obtained discordant results comparing the T-786C and G894T genotypes between elite endurance and elite power-oriented athletes.…”

Genetics and sport performance: current challenges and directions to the future

“…In fact, it has been considered that the polymorphisms in uencing endurance sports are di erent from the polymorphisms in uencing sprint sports, which display a greater demand for muscle strength and power 46 . Considering that some (if not all) of these characteristics are in part genetically determined, studies comparing genotypes between athletes should carefully select which sports disciplines will be included in a given group when categorizing athletes.…”

“…Another matter of concern is how to categorize athletes according to competitive levels. Ideally, a polymorphism that exerts some in uence on sports performance should be capable of di erentiating not Most studies on genetics of sports performance have assessed the impact of only one variant on athletic performance 46 . Due to the multifactorial nature of sports performance, the e ect of a single variant is most likely to be small 49 .…”