The ACTN3 genotype in soccer players in response to acute eccentric training

Abstract

Genetic factors can interfere with sporting performance. The identification of genetic predisposition of soccer players brings important information to trainers and coaches for individual training loads adjustment. Different responses to eccentric training could be observed by the genotype referred to as α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) in biomarkers of muscle damage, hormones and inflammatory responses. The aim of this study was to compare acute inflammatory responses, muscle damage and hormonal variations according to the eccentric training in soccer professional athletes with different genetic profiles of ACTN3 (XX, RX and RR). 37 soccer professional athletes (9 XX, 13 RX, 15 RR) were randomly divided into five stations associated to eccentric muscle contraction and plyometrics. Blood samples were taken from athletes pre-eccentric training, immediately after (post), 2- and 4-h post-eccentric training to determine hormone responses (cortisol and testosterone), muscle damage (CK and α-actin), and inflammatory responses (IL-6). After eccentric training, athletes XX presented higher levels for CK (4-h post), α-actin (post and 2-h post) and cortisol (post) compared to RR and RX athletes. However, RR and RX athletes presented higher levels of testosterone (post) and IL-6 (2 h post and 4 h post) compared to athletes XX. The main conclusion of this study is that professional soccer athletes homozygous to ACTN3XX gene are more susceptible to eccentric damage and present a higher catabolic state, demonstrated by metabolic, hormonal and immune responses post an eccentric training, in comparison to ACTN3RR and ACTN3RX groups.

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

“…The result of this study is also in accordance with the Brazilian study [10]. Another recent study by Pimenta et al, in which 37 professional soccer players were examined, showed a prevalence of 40.5% for the RR genotype [25], which agrees with our results.…”

Comparison of different ways of expressing creatine kinase concentration of soccer players during a competitive season

“…This study and those that were previously presented, corroborate the ideas of Urhausen and Kindermann 34 , who claimed that CK concentration represents exercise-induced mechanical wear due to the exercise performed in previous days and is linked to training intensity and volume. Hence, for the development of a training program, it is imperative to assess an athlete's muscular stress using indicators, such as CK, considering that the results can guide the type of specific training required for each player in order to prevent overtraining and ensure that the training will improve, or at least maintain, performance.…”

Avaliação da demanda fisiológica aguda no futebol

“…The authors also verified that 24 hours after the match, IL-6 levels had already returned to baseline values. Moreover, Pimenta et al 10 , who also identified significant changes in IL-6 concentrations in soccer players after a battery of plyometric jumps, verified that IL-6 values returned to baseline 2 hours after the activity. The same kinetic behavior of increased post-activity IL-6 was observed in female soccer players 4 .…”

“…High-intensity activities and with high demand on the muscle skeletal system, such as soccer, result in high levels of muscle microtrauma and the release of inflammatory and muscle damage markers 6,10 . Microtrauma and damage can be determined by measuring IL-6 6,10 , CK 13 and alpha-actin 11,12 , all of which are present in the blood and result from muscle rupture.…”

“…The increased production of cytokines is also a response to the magnitude of stress and is a metabolic response to exercise 6,9 . Activities with high intensity and high demand on the musculoskeletal system, such as soccer, result in high levels of muscle microtrauma 6,10 . Microtrauma can be evaluated by measuring the blood levels of muscle alpha-actin 11,12 and creatine kinase (CK) 13 , which come from the sarcoplasm.…”