Heritability estimates of muscle strength‐related phenotypes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the heritability estimates of human muscle strength-related phenotypes (H -msp). A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed (through August 22, 2016). Studies reporting the H -msp for healthy subjects in a sedentary state were included. Random-effects models were used to calculate the weighted mean heritability estimates. Moreover, subgroup analyses were performed based on phenotypic categories (eg, grip strength, isotonic strength, jumping ability). Sensitivity analyses were also conducted to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity of H -msp, which included age and sex. Twenty-four articles including 58 measurements were included in the meta-analysis. The weighted mean H -msp for all 58 measurements was 0.52 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.48-0.56), with high heterogeneity (I =91.0%, P<.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the heritability of isometric grip strength, other isometric strength, isotonic strength, isokinetic strength, jumping ability, and other power measurements was 0.56 (95% CI: 0.46-0.67), 0.49 (0.47-0.52), 0.49 (0.32-0.67), 0.49 (0.37-0.61), 0.55 (0.45-0.65), and 0.51 (0.31-0.70), respectively. The H -msp decreased with age (P<.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that the influence of genetic and environmental factors on muscle strength-related phenotypes is comparable. Moreover, the role of environmental factors increased with age. These findings may contribute toward an understanding of muscle strength-related phenotypes.

Effects of the ACTN3 R577X Genotype on the Muscular Strength and Range of Motion Before and After Eccentric Contractions of the Elbow Flexors

“…Muscle phenotypes have been associated with both genetic and environmental factors, such as train-ing status and diets. We have reported that the influence of genetic and environmental factors on muscle strength-related phenotypes is comparable using meta-analysis [36]. The α-actinins, structural proteins of Z-line, are associated with the structural rigidity of muscle fibers.…”

The Association Between TP53 rs1625895 Polymorphism and the Risk of Sarcopenic Obesity in Iranian Older Adults: A Case-Control Study

“…It is well known that genetic background, ecological factors and/or, interaction between gene and environment may be involved in developing variation in muscle phenotypes between individuals (9, 10). The epidemiological studies established that that genetic factors are responsible for 46-76% and 32-67% of fat-free mass (FFM) and muscle strength inconsistency, respectively (11,12). So that, identi cation of novel candidate genes in uencing skeletal muscle phenotypes is vital in designing an impressive treatment strategy to control age-associated variation in muscle arrangement and activity.…”

Genetic Associations with Aging Muscle: A Systematic Review

“…Currently, it is known that inter-individual variation in muscle phenotypes may be attributed to genetic factors, environmental factors and/or, gene-environment interactions [15,16]. While environmental factors such as physical activity, protein intake [17], sleep quality [18], smoking status [15] and alcohol consumption [19] have been shown to affect muscle phenotypes, heritability studies have highlighted the importance of genetic factors in determining inter-individual variability in skeletal muscle traits [20,21]. These studies have found that genetic factors account for 46-76% and 32-67% of fat-free mass (FFM) and muscle strength variability, respectively [20,21].…”

“…While environmental factors such as physical activity, protein intake [17], sleep quality [18], smoking status [15] and alcohol consumption [19] have been shown to affect muscle phenotypes, heritability studies have highlighted the importance of genetic factors in determining inter-individual variability in skeletal muscle traits [20,21]. These studies have found that genetic factors account for 46-76% and 32-67% of fat-free mass (FFM) and muscle strength variability, respectively [20,21]. Additional longitudinal studies have observed heritability estimates of 64% for change in muscle strength with advancing age [22].…”