Investigation of the Relationship Between a Genetic Polymorphism in ACTN3 and Elite Sport Performance Among Iranian Soccer Players

Abstract

Objectives: Polymorphisms in α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene are considered to be important in the genetic predisposition to human athletic performance. Most of the activities in soccer such as jumping, striking the ball, and running are considered plyometric and explosive. Performance power during such activities depends on the strength of the muscles involved. Therefore, high muscle strength is considered crucial for soccer players. The primary objective of this study was to ascertain the association between ACTN3 R577X (rs1815739) polymorphism and sports athletism in Iranian elite male soccer players. Methods:In total, 90 top-level professional Iranian male soccer players and 200 nonathletic Iranian men from the general population participated in this case-control study. Exon 16 of ACTN3 was genotyped throughout polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) using the restriction enzyme DdeI and direct sequencing. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of R577X polymorphism in athletes were compared to the frequencies in the general population (nonathletes).Results: According to the results, the percentage distributions of 577RR and 577RX genotypes (41% and 37%, respectively) were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than that of controls (25% and 57%, respectively) (P<0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was found between allelic frequencies (P=0.20).

Genetic influence on football performance - a systematic review

“…The relationship between ACTN3 and ACE polymorphisms and athletic performance is currently equivocal. Honarpour et al [15] found that football players had higher frequencies of ACTN3 577RR and 577RX genotypes than that of the general population. Furthermore, it has been observed that athletes with the ID/II genotype perform better on endurance tests [20].…”

“…Endurance. The most studied polymorphisms were ACTN3 [1,15,20], ACE [20,21], AGT and AMPD [20], MTHFR [22], and GST [21]. Overall, 4 studies included young male football players and 1 involved youth female football players [1].…”

“…Overall, 4 studies included young male football players and 1 involved youth female football players [1]. Additionally, 4 studies assessed endurance performance by using shuttle runs and 1 did not present any test information [15] ( Table 1).…”

“…The association between the ACE and ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms and performance endurance was assessed in 4 studies [1,15,20,21]. Dinc et al [22] investigated athletic performance and homocysteine levels in relation to the MTHFR C677T mutation as well as its relationship with other cardiac risk factors.…”

“…During the last 20 years, there has been significant progress in scientific research that has increased the understanding of genetic factors and their influence on athletic performance [13][14][15][16]. Specifically, in football, scouting networks (i.e., individuals responsible for talent selection) will benefit from gene and sequence variations (i.e., polymorphisms) information and the extent to which this biological predisposition is associated with performance.…”