The Association between Total Genotype Score and Athletic Performance in Weightlifters

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between power-oriented genetic polymorphisms and weightlifting status, create a total genotype score (TGS), and validate the association between TGS models and power-oriented athletes. First, 192 weightlifters and 416 controls were studied, and 12 polymorphisms that have previously been associated with strength, power status, and phenotype were genotyped using the TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. We calculated the TGS for the 12 polymorphisms using a PWM (power-oriented whole model) and for 6 of them using a WRM (weightlifting-related model) based on a case–control study. Second, the TGS of the WRM was compared for 177 strength and power athletes and 416 controls. There was no significant difference in the PWM score between weightlifters and the controls. Weightlifters and elite weightlifters had higher WRM scores than the controls. However, the WRM score had no association with weightlifting performance. There was no significant difference in the WRM between power-oriented athletes and the controls. Our study was able to create a TGS model for weightlifters based on case–control results. However, the TGS model could not be applied to other power-oriented athletes.

Genetics of Performance and Injury: Considerations for the Strength and Conditioning Coach

“…It is far more likely that multiple DNA variants (each with a small effect) will influence a trait. Indeed, Homma et al (22) found elite weightlifters had higher total genotype scores (combined influence score from 6 previously associated power-related DNA variants) compared with controls. However, on further analysis, the total genotype score of the weightlifters had no association with actual weightlifting performance, suggesting other factors are far more influential (22).…”