Elite swimmers and the D allele of the ACE I/D polymorphism

Abstract

A polymorphism of the human angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been identified in which the presence (insertion, I allele) of a 287-bp fragment rather than the absence (deletion, D allele) is associated with lower ACE activity. Several recent studies have shown an association of the I allele with endurance performance, it being found with excess frequency in elite distance runners, rowers and mountaineers. Other workers using heterogeneous cohorts of athletes from mixed sporting disciplines have found no such association. An increasing linear trend of I allele frequency with the distance run amongst Olympic runners and an excess of the D allele amongst sprinters led us to examine whether the ratio of I and D alleles in swimmers competing over different distances would also vary. Swimmers (n=120) from the European and Commonwealth championships and an American college team had their ACE genotype determined and their gene and allele frequencies compared with several control groups, the most closely age-matched of which were 1,248 military recruits. Of the 103 Caucasians, there was a significant excess of the D allele compared with this control group only in the truly elite swimmers of the European and Commonwealth championships (P=0.004). This association remained in those competing over shorter distances (P=0.005 for 400 m and below) but not in the longer events. These findings were confirmed in three further large control groups. A population association study testing whether a genetic marker (the ACE I/D polymorphism) occurs more frequently in cases (elite athletes) than in controls therefore requires a homogeneous cohort of subjects from the same sporting discipline.

The angiotensin converting enzyme I/D polymorphism in Russian athletes

“…A cohort such as that previously reported, 9 which includes swimmers and track and field athletes, without deference to event duration, is even less likely to demonstrate an ACE genotype effect, especially in light of the excess of D alleles in short distance swimmers and track and field athletes both in this study, and others. 3,8 Although the D allele has been associated with greater training-related changes in left ventricular growth 14 and VO 2 max rise 15 the mechanism underlying the association of the D allele with power oriented, anaerobic sports is most likely mediated through differences in skeletal muscle strength gain. A greater training-related increase in quadriceps muscle strength has been associated with the D allele 16 .…”

Is the interaction between HIF1A P582S and ACTN3 R577X determinant for power/sprint performance?

“…Although sprint performance is likely a polygenic trait, only a few single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP's), namely ACTN3 R577X [1][2][3][4], ACE I/D [5][6][7] and more recently eNOS -786 T/C [8] and, IL-6 -174G/C ( ), were found to be associated with sprint performance.…”

Association of Genetic Factors With Selected Measures of Physical Performance

“…Sixty-six percent of the 103 white elite swimmers who were examined in the study exhibited the presence of the D allele; this percentage was significantly higher than those in the 4 largest control populations used. 34 Tsianos and colleagues 24 drew the same conclusion by showing a significant excess of the D allele among subjects competing in swimming competitions of 1 to 10 km as opposed to those competing in races of 25 km.…”

“…33 Studies also have shown a greater frequency of the D allele among athletes who compete in shorter-distance events. 23,24,34 Myerson and colleagues 23 found a significantly greater frequency of the D allele among Olympic sprinters running 200 m or less. These findings led Woods and colleagues 34 to investigate this relationship in elite swimmers.…”

“…23,24,34 Myerson and colleagues 23 found a significantly greater frequency of the D allele among Olympic sprinters running 200 m or less. These findings led Woods and colleagues 34 to investigate this relationship in elite swimmers. Sixty-six percent of the 103 white elite swimmers who were examined in the study exhibited the presence of the D allele; this percentage was significantly higher than those in the 4 largest control populations used.…”