The ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism Is Associated With Muscle Power in Male Japanese Athletes

Abstract

In this study, we investigated whether the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is associated with muscular power in Japanese collegiate athletes by analyzing the mean and peak power results of a 30-second Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) with respect to the ACTN3 R577X genotype in 253 Japanese athletes (144 men and 109 women). Each athlete performed a 30-second WAnT with a resistance equal to 7.5% of his or her body weight. Genotyping for the ACTN3 R577X (rs1815739) polymorphism was performed using the TaqMan approach. The ACTN3 R577X genotypes exhibited a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium distribution in our population. The relative and absolute mean power results of the 30-second WAnT did not differ significantly among the genotypes. However, the relative peak power result of the WAnT was significantly higher in the R-allele-dominant model groups than in the XX group in male but not female athletes. These results suggest that the ACTN3 R allele is associated with the relative peak power during the WAnT in male Japanese collegiate athletes.

Effective utilization of genetic information for athletes and coaches: focus on ACTN3 R577X polymorphism

“…We also found that 4.6% of variability in the relative peak power in WAnT among male Japanese athletes was due to the ACTN3 R577X genotype [44]. Massidda et al [42] have reported that the ACTN3 R577X genotype accounts for 8.0% of the variation in squat-jump performance of elite soccer players.…”

“…Yang et al [10] have reported that the ACTN3 XX genotype is associated with endurance performance only in female athletes. We detected a positive relationship between the ACTN3 R577X genotype and relative peak power in WAnT of Japanese male athletes but not in female athletes [44]. However, another study showed that the absence of ACTN3 negatively influenced peak isokinetic torque during knee extension in middle-aged women but not in middle-aged men [37].…”

“…Previously, we have found that athletes with the ACTN3 RR or RX genotype have higher peak power in the 30-s Wingate anaerobic performance test (WAnT) than those with the XX genotype [44]. We also found that 4.6% of variability in the relative peak power in WAnT among male Japanese athletes was due to the ACTN3 R577X genotype [44].…”

“…There are conflicting results regarding the association between the ACTN3 R577X genotype and sex differences in muscle phenotypes, e.g., muscle strength and power [35,37,44]. Yang et al [10] have reported that the ACTN3 XX genotype is associated with endurance performance only in female athletes.…”

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“…There are contradictions in the results regarding the association between ACTN3 R577X genotype and sex differences in muscle phenotypes, e.g., strength and power of muscles [31,32]. It is revealed that ACTN3 XX genotype is associated with the manifestation of endurance only female athletes [25].…”