Search

Introduction Non-contact muscle injuries (NCMI) account for a large proportion of sport injuries, affecting athletes’ performance and career, team results and financial aspects. Recently, genetic factors have been attributed a role in the susceptibility of an athlete to sustain NCMI. However, data in this field are only just starting to emerge. Objectives To review available knowledge of genetic variations associated with sport-related NCMI. Methods The databases Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for relevant articles published until February 2021. The records selected for review were original articles published in peer-reviewed journals describing studies that have examined NCMI-related genetic variations in adult subjects (17–60 years) practicing any sport. The data extracted from the studies identified were as follows: general information, and data on genetic polymorphisms and NCMI risk, incidence and recovery time and/or severity. Results Seventeen studies examining 47 genes and 59 polymorphisms were finally included. 29 polymorphisms affecting 25 genes were found significantly associated with NCMI risk, incidence, recovery time, and/or severity. These genes pertain to three functional categories: (i) muscle fiber structural/contractile properties, (ii) muscle repair and regeneration, or (iii) muscle fiber external matrix composition and maintenance. Conclusion Our review confirmed the important role of genetics in NCMI. Some gene variants have practical implications such as differences of several weeks in recovery time detected between genotypes. Knowledge in this field is still in its early stages. Future studies need to examine a wider diversity of sports and standardize their methods and outcome measures

Introduction: Elevated plasma α-klotho (αKl) protects against several ageing phenotypes and has been proposed as a biomarker of a good prognosis for different diseases. The beneficial health effects of elevated plasma levels of soluble αKl (SαKl) have been likened to the positive effects of exercise on ageing and chronic disease progression. It has also been established that molecular responses and adaptations differ according to exercise dose. The aim of this study is to compare the acute SαKl response to different exercise interventions, cardiorespiratory, and strength exercise in healthy, physically active men and to examine the behavior of SαKl 72h after acute strength exercise.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, plasma SαKl was measured before and after a cardiorespiratory exercise session (CR) in 43 men, and strength exercise session (ST) in 39 men. The behavior of SαKl was also examined 24, 48, and 72h after ST.Results: Significant differences (time×group) were detected in SαKl levels (p=0.001; d=0.86) between CR and ST. After the ST intervention, SαKl behavior varied significantly (p=0.009; d=0.663) in that levels dropped between pre- and post-exercises (p=0.025; d=0.756) and were also significantly higher compared to pre ST values at 24h (p=0.033; d=0.717) and at 48h (p=0.015; d=0.827).Conclusions: SαKl levels increased in response to a single bout of cardiorespiratory exercise; while they decreased immediately after strength exercise, levels were elevated after 24h indicating different klotho protein responses to different forms of exercise.

Background: Many epidemiological and experimental studies have established that myopia is caused by a complex interaction between common genetic and environmental factors. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the rs524952 (GJD2), rs8000973 (ZIC2), rs1881492 (CHRNG), rs1656404 (PRSS56), rs235770 (BMP2), and rs7744813 (KCNQ5) SNPs (single-nucleotide polymorphism) between responder and nonresponder patients who had undergone a two-year treatment with lenses for myopia control. Method: Twenty-eight participants from the MiSight Assessment Study Spain (MASS), who had received treatment for myopia control for two years with MiSight contact lenses, were examined. The criteria for better/worse treatment response was the change in the axial length (&lt, / ≥ 0.22 mm two years after the treatment). The clinical procedure consisted of the extraction of a saliva sample, and the participants also underwent an optometric examination. Genetic data were analyzed using SNPStats software (Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain), and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.25 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Demographic variables were analyzed using the Student’s t-test. Results: The T allele, the one with the lowest frequency, of the “rs235770” SNP was associated with a better treatment response [AL/CR (axial length/corneal radius): OR = 3.37, CI = 1.079–10.886, SE (spherical equivalent): OR = 1.26, CI: = 0.519–57.169, p = 0.019). By performing haplotype analysis, significant differences were found between the rs235770…rs1881492 and rs235770–rs1656404 polymorphisms. The latter presented a strong linkage disequilibrium with each other (r2 ≥ 0.54). Conclusion: The result of lens therapies for myopia control could vary depending on genetic variants. Studies with a larger sample are needed to confirm the results presented in this pilot study.

PPARGC1A rs8192678 G/A (Gly482Ser) and NRF1 rs6949152 A/G polymorphisms have been associated with endurance athlete status, endurance performance phenotypes, and certain health-related markers of different pathologies such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. We hypothesized that they could be considered interesting candidates for explaining inter-individual variations in muscle fiber composition in humans. We aimed to examine possible associations of these polymorphisms with myosin heavy-chain (MHC) isoforms as markers of muscle fiber compositions in vastus lateralis muscle in a population of 214 healthy Japanese subjects, aged between 19 and 79 years. No significant associations were found in men for any measured variables. In contrast, in women, the PPARGC1A rs8192678 A/A genotype was significantly associated with a higher proportion of MHC-I (p = 0.042) and with a lower proportion of MHC-IIx (p = 0.033), and the NRF1 rs6949152 AA genotype was significantly associated with a higher proportion of MHC-I (p = 0.008) and with a lower proportion of MHC IIx (p = 0.035). In women, the genotype scores of the modes presenting the most significant results for PPARGC1A rs8192678 G/A (Gly482Ser) and NRF1 rs6949152 A/G polymorphisms were significantly associated with MHC-I (p = 0.0007) and MHC IIx (p = 0.0016). That is, women with combined PPARGC1A A/A and NRF1 A/A genotypes presented the highest proportion of MHC-I and the lowest proportion of MHC-IIx, in contrast to women with combined PPARGC1A GG+GA and NRF1 AG+GG genotypes, who presented the lowest proportion of MHC-I and the highest proportion of MHC-IIx. Our results suggest possible associations between these polymorphisms (both individually and in combination) and the inter-individual variability observed in muscle fiber composition in women, but not in men. JSPS KAKENHI (16KK0188 to N.F) MEXT-Supported Program for the Strategic Research Foundation at Private Universities (to Juntendo University and Fukuoka University) 4.096 JCR (2020) Q2, 65/175 Genetics & Heredity 1.337 SJR (2020) Q2, 99/340 Genetics No data IDR 2019 UEM

We aimed to replicate, in a specific athletic event cohort (only track and field) and in two different ethnicities (Japanese and East European, i.e. Russian and Polish), original findings showing the association of the angiotensin-II receptor type-2 gene (AGTR2) rs11091046 A>C polymorphism with athlete status. We compared genotypic frequencies of the AGTR2 rs11091046 polymorphism among 282 track and field sprint/power athletes (200 men and 82 women), including several national record holders and Olympic medallists (214 Japanese, 68 Russian and Polish), and 2024 control subjects (842 men and 1182 women) (804 Japanese, 1220 Russian and Polish). In men, a meta-analysis from the two combined cohorts showed a significantly higher frequency of the C allele in athletes than in controls (odds ratio: 1.62, P=0.008, heterogeneity index I 2 =0%). With regard to respective cohorts, C allele frequency was higher in Japanese male athletes than in controls (67.7% vs. 55.9%, P=0.022), but not in Russian/Polish male athletes (61.9% vs. 51.0%, P=0.172). In women, no significant results were obtained by meta-analysis for the two cohorts combination (P=0.850). The AC genotype frequency was significantly higher in Russian/Polish women athletes than in controls (69.2% vs. 42.1%, P=0.022), but not in Japanese women athletes (P=0.226). Our results, in contrast to previous findings, suggested by meta-analysis that the C allele of the AGTR2 rs11091046 polymorphism is associated with sprint/power track and field athlete status in men, but not in women. Sin financiación 2.202 JCR (2018) Q2, 33/83 Sport Sciences 0.941 SJR (2018) Q1, 64/301 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine No data IDR 2018 UEM

We studied the influence of genetic polymorphisms involved in the PPARD-PPARGC1A-NRF-TFAM mitochondriogenesis pathway (rs6949152, rs12594956, rs2267668, rs8192678, and rs1937) on muscle phenotypes (thigh muscles’ cross-sectional, maximal handgrip-strength and 30-second chair stand-test) and Barthel index in Caucasian (Spanish) community-dwelling old people (n=75, 21 men, 54 women; 71–94 years). We found no significant genetic associations with the studied phenotypes. Multiple, complex gene-environment and gene-gene interactions which are yet to be determined are likely to play a more determinant role. Resumen Se estudió la influencia de los polimorfismos genéticos implicados en la vía de mitocondriogénesis PPARD-PPARGC1A-NRF-TFAM (rs6949152, rs12594956, rs2267668, rs8192678 y rs1937) en distintos fenotipos musculares (sección transversal muscular del muslo, fuerza máxima de prensión manual y 30 segundos de sentarse-levantarse de una silla) y en el índice de Barthel en personas mayores caucásicas (españoles) (n = 75, 21 hombres, 54 mujeres; 71 a 94 años). No se encontraron asociaciones genéticas significativas con los fenotipos estudiados. Interacciones múltiples, complejos gen-ambiente y relaciones gen-gen aún no determinadas podrían desempeñar un papel más determinante.

In patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), physical capacity (PC) has been correlated with mortality risk. In turn, PC is dependent on genetic factors. This study examines several polymorphisms associated with PC and healthrelated phenotype traits (VO2peak, FEV1, FVC, PImax and muscular strength) in a group of children with CF (n = 66, primary purpose). The same analyses were also performed in a control group of healthy children (n = 113, secondary purpose). The polymorphisms determined were classified as muscle function polymorphisms (ACE rs1799752; AGT rs699; ACTN3 rs1815739; PTK2 rs7843014 and rs7460; MSTN rs1805086; TRHR rs7832552; NOS3 rs2070744) or energy metabolism polymorphisms (PPARGC1A rs8192678; NRF1 rs6949152; NRF2 rs12594956; TFAM rs1937; PPARD rs2267668; ACSL1 rs6552828). No significant polymorphism/phenotype correlations were detected in children with CF, with marginal associations being observed between NOS3 rs2070744 and VO2peak and FEV1, as well as between PPARGC1A rs8192678 and FEV1. Overall, similar findings were observed in the control group, i.e., no major associations. The PC-related polymorphisms examined seem to have no effects on the PC or health of children with CF.

The ApoE gene is associated with the risk of Alzheimer or cardiovascular disease but its influence on exceptional longevity (EL) is uncertain. Our primary purpose was to determine, using a case-control design, if the ApoE gene is associated with EL. We compared ApoE allele/genotype frequencies among the following cohorts: cases (centenarians, most with 1+ major disease condition; n=163, 100-111years) and healthy controls (n=1039, 20-85years) from Spain; disease-free cases (centenarians; n=79, 100-104years) and healthy controls (n=597, age 27-81years) from Italy; and cases (centenarians and semi-supercentenarians, most with 1+ major disease condition; n=729, 100-116years) and healthy controls (n=498, 23-59years) from Japan. Our main findings were twofold. First, the ε4-allele was negatively associated with EL in the three cohorts, with the following odds ratio (OR) values (adjusted by sex) having been found: 0.55 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33, 0.94), P=0.030 (Spain); 0.41 (95%CI: 0.18, 0.99), P=0.05 (Italy); and 0.35 (95%CI: 0.26, 0.57), P

The myostatin (MSTN) gene is a candidate to influence extreme longevity owing to its role in modulating muscle mass and sarcopenia and especially in inhibiting the main nutrient-sensing pathway involved in longevity, i.e. mammalian target of rapamycin. We compared allele/genotype distributions of the exonic MSTN variants K153R (rs1805086), E164K (rs35781413), I225T and P198A, in Spanish centenarians (cases, n = 156; 132 women, age range 100–111 years) and younger adults (controls, n = 384; 167 women, age

The aim of the present case-control study was to examine the association of the ACTN3 R577X genotype with elite swimming status. We compared a group of Spanish (Caucasian) elite swimmers (n = 88) with other cohorts of the same ethnic origin, i.e., nonathletic controls (n = 343) and other types of athletes who are in both end-points of the sports performance continuum, i.e., world-class power (n = 119) and endurance male athletes (n = 154). Swimmers had a lower odds ratio (OR) of having the RX genotype [1.815, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.899-3.664] compared with nonathletic controls, yet the association did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.096). Endurance athletes had greater OR of having the XX genotype (OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.162-7.135, P = 0.022), or the RX+XX genotype (OR: 1.903, 95% CI: 1.015-3.567, P = 0.045) compared with swimmers. No other association was found. In summary, we did not observe an association between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and elite swimmer's status, suggesting that any influence of this polymorphism is not of sufficient magnitude as to significantly influence elite swimming performance, at least in Spanish athletes.

The aim of this study was to examine a polygenic profile related to endurance performance, based on current knowledge, in the Japanese population. We analyzed 21 genetic polymorphisms that have been reported to be associated with endurance performance and its related phenotypes in 175 endurance runners (60 international‐, 94 national‐, and 21 regional‐level) and 649 controls in the Japanese population. Then, we calculated the total genotype score (TGS) (maximum value of 100 for the theoretically optimum polygenic score) for endurance performance. There was no association between the TGS and endurance athlete status (Control: 49.0 ± 7.6, Regional: 47.3 ± 7.6, National: 49.1 ± 5.7, and International: 48.2 ± 7.0, P = 0.626). These results suggested that TGSs based on the 21 previously published endurance performance‐associated polymorphisms do not influence endurance running performance in the Japanese population. Nevertheless, some marginal tendencies have to be noted: the frequencies of the ACTN3 R577X rs1815739 RR+RX genotype and the GNB3 rs5443 CC+CT genotype were higher in international athletes than in controls (85% vs. 73.6%, P = 0.042 and 90% vs. 76%, P = 0.007, respectively), but not significantly different after Bonferroni correction.

There are strong genetic components to cardiorespiratory fitness and its response to exercise training. It would be useful to understand the differences in the genomic profile of highly trained endurance athletes of world class caliber and sedentary controls. An international consortium (GAMES) was established in order to compare elite endurance athletes and ethnicity-matched controls in a case-control study design. Genome-wide association studies were undertaken on two cohorts of elite endurance athletes and controls (GENATHLETE and Japanese endurance runners), from which a panel of 45 promising markers was identified. These markers were tested for replication in seven additional cohorts of endurance athletes and controls: from Australia, Ethiopia, Japan, Kenya, Poland, Russia and Spain. The study is based on a total of 1520 endurance athletes (835 who took part in endurance events in World Championships and/or Olympic Games) and 2760 controls. We hypothesized that world-class athletes are likely to be characterized by an even higher concentration of endurance performance alleles and we performed separate analyses on this subsample. The meta-analysis of all available studies revealed one statistically significant marker (rs558129 at GALNTL6 locus, p = 0.0002), even after correcting for multiple testing. As shown by the low heterogeneity index (I2 = 0), all eight cohorts showed the same direction of association with rs558129, even though p-values varied across the individual studies. In summary, this study did not identify a panel of genomic variants common to these elite endurance athlete groups. Since GAMES was underpowered to identify alleles with small effect sizes, some of the suggestive leads identified should be explored in expanded comparisons of world-class endurance athletes and sedentary controls and in tightly controlled exercise training studies. Such studies have the potential to illuminate the biology not only of world class endurance performance but also of compromised cardiac functions and cardiometabolic diseases. Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (grant # PI12/00914). Research in sports genetics to A. Lucia in Spain was funded by grants from the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD) 2.806 JCR (2016) Q1, 15/64 Multidisciplinary Sciences No data SJR 2016 No data IDR 2016 UEM

The NOS3-786 T/C polymorphism (rs2070744) is a candidate to explain individual variations in sports related phenotypes. We determined the genotype and allele frequency of NOS3-786 T/C in a group of 60 male professional elite soccer players. Their results were compared with those of 100 world-class endurance athletes, 53 elite power athletes, and 100 sedentary, healthy men (controls) of the same Caucasian (Spanish) origin. There were significant differences in genotype frequencies between soccer players, controls, endurance and power elite athletes (all P ≤ 0.02). These results were confirmed when we analysed allelic frequencies (all P

We investigated the association between ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and jumping (vertical squat and counter-movement jump tests) and sprint ability (30 m dash) in non-athletic, healthy young adults [N=284 (217 male), mean (SD) age: 21 (2) years]. We analyzed the differences in the study phenotypes among ACTN3 R577X genotypes by one-way analysis of covariance before and after adjusting for sex, age, weight and height (confounders). We also compared the genotype and allele frequencies between those with the best and worst results in the aforementioned tests (≥90th vs 0.05). In summary, α-actinin-3 deficiency does not negatively influence the ability to generate explosive leg muscle power in a young non-athletic population.

We examined the association of R577X polymorphism (rs1815739) in the α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene with “explosive” leg muscle power performance in a group of male and female elite volleyball players (n=66, 31 men, 35 women) and in a group of non-athletic male and female young adults (n=334, 243 men, 91 women). We assessed power performance by means of the vertical squat and counter-movement jump tests. We also determined whether the genotypic frequencies of the ACTN3 R577X genotypes differed between groups. We did not observe any effect of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism on study phenotypes in both groups, regardless of gender (all P>0.05). Genotype frequencies were similar between volleyball and control groups (P=0.095). Moreover, we did not find an association between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and the likelihood of being an elite volleyball player using the dominant (RR vs RX+XX) and the recessive model (RR+RX vs XX). In summary, these findings suggest that the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism does not influence explosive leg muscle power in elite volleyball players.

Using the model originally developed by Williams and Folland (J Physiol 586: 113-121, 2008), we determined 1) a "total genotype score" (TGS, from the accumulated combination of the 6 polymorphisms, with a maximum value of "100" for the theoretically optimal polygenic score) in a group of elite power athletes, endurance athletes, and nonathletic controls, and 2) the probability for the occurrence of Spanish individuals with the "perfect" power-oriented profile (i.e., TGS = 100). We analyzed six polymorphism that are candidates to explain individual variations in elite power athletic status or power phenotypes (ACE I/D, ACTN3 R577X, AGT Met235Thr, GDF-8 K153R, IL6 -174 G/C, and NOS3 -786T>C) in 53 elite track and field power athletes (jumpers, sprinters), 100 nonathletic controls, and 100 elite endurance athletes (distance runners and road cyclists) (all Spanish Caucasian males). The mean TGS was significantly higher in power athletes (70.8 +/- 17.3) compared with endurance athletes (60.4 +/- 15.9; P < 0.001) and controls (63.3 +/- 13.2; P = 0.012), whereas it did not differ between the latter two groups (P = 0.366). A total of five power athletes (9.4%, all sprinters) had a theoretically "optimal" TGS of 100 vs. 0 subjects in the other two groups. The probability of a Spanish individual possessing a theoretically optimal polygenic profile for up to the six candidate polymorphisms we studied was very small, i.e., approximately 0.2% (or 1 in 500 Spanish individuals). We have identified a polygenic profile that allows us, at least partly, to distinguish elite power athletes from both endurance athletes and nonathletic population. 4.235 JCR (2010) Q1, 11/78 Physiology, 2/80 Sport sciences UEM

Sedentary lifestyle is associated with elevated cancer risk whereas regular physical activity (PA) and high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) have the opposite effect, with several biologic mechanisms mediating such associations. There is a need for lifestyle interventions aimed at increasing the PA levels and CRF of the general population and particularly cancer survivors. Furthermore, provocative data suggest a dose-dependent benefit of increasing levels of PA and/or CRF against cancer risk or mortality. Thus, current PA guidelines (≥150 min/wk of moderate-to-vigorous PA) may not be sufficiently rigorous for preventing cancer nor for extending cancer survivorship. Research targeting this issue is urgently needed. Promoting regular PA along with monitoring indicators of CRF and adiposity may provide powerful strategies to prevent cancer in populations, help patients with cancer more effectively deal with their disease and enhance secondary prevention programs in those who are affected by cancer. Cancer Prev Res; 8(2); 105–10. ©2014 AACR.

The authors compared ACTN3 R577X genotype and allele frequencies in the majority of all-time-best Spanish judo male athletes (n = 108) and 343 ethnically matched nonathletic men. No between-groups differences were found in allele (P = .077) or genotype distributions (P = .178). Thus, the R577X polymorphism was not significantly associated with the status of being an elite judo athlete, at least in the Spanish population. The contribution of genetics to sports-related phenotype traits is undeniable with some genotypes, of which ACTN3 R577X is currently the leading candidate, partly distinguishing individuals predisposed to either endurance or power sports. However, few athletic events can be categorized as purely power or endurance based. Although genetic testing (ie, for ACTN3 R577X) is already being marketed to predict sports talent and potential of young children, its usefulness is still questionable, at least in competitive judo.

Focal adhesion is critical for cell survival. The focal adhesion kinase (FAK, or PTK2) is an important component of the human interactome and thus is a potential longevity-related protein. Here we studied the association between two PTK2 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs7843014, rs7460) and exceptional longevity (EL). In addition to gaining insight into their functionality by determining luciferase gene reporter activity, we studied the genotype/allele frequency of these two SNPs among three different cohorts: (1) Spanish centenarians (n=175, 100–111 years, 144 women) and healthy controls (n=355, 20–50 years, 284 women); (2) Italian centenarians (n=79, 100–104 years, 40 women) and controls (n=316, 29–50 years, 156 women); and (3) Japanese centenarians (n=742, 100–116 years, 623 women) and healthy controls (n=499, 23–59 years, 356 women). Both SNPs had functional significance, with the A allele up-regulating luciferase activity compared to the other allele (rs7460 T allele and rs7843014 C allele, respectively). The A allele of both SNPs was negatively associated with EL in the Spanish cohort (rs7460, odds ratio [OR] adjusted by sex=0.40, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.3, 0.6, p

Irisin might play an important role in reducing the risk of obesity, insulin resistance, or several related diseases, and high irisin levels may contribute to successful aging. Thus, the irisin precursor (FNDC5) gene is a candidate to influence exceptional longevity (EL), i.e., being a centenarian. It has been recently shown that two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FNDC5 gene, rs16835198 and rs726344, are associated with in vivo insulin sensitivity in adults. We determined luciferase gene reporter activity in the two above-mentioned SNPs and studied genotype distributions among centenarians (n = 175, 144 women) and healthy controls (n = 347, 142 women) from Spain. We also studied an Italian [79 healthy centenarians (40 women) and 316 healthy controls (156 women)] and a Japanese cohort [742 centenarians (623 women) and 499 healthy controls (356 women)]. The rs726344 SNP had functional significance, as shown by differences in luciferase activity between the constructs of this SNP (all P ≤ 0.05), with the variant A-allele having higher luciferase activity compared with the G-allele (P = 0.04). For the rs16835198 SNP, the variant T-allele tended to show higher luciferase activity compared with the G-allele (P = 0.07). However, we found no differences between genotype/allele frequencies of the two SNPs in centenarians versus controls in any cohort, and no significant association (using logistic regression adjusted by sex) between the two SNPs and EL. Further research is needed with different cohorts as well as with additional variants in the FNDC5 gene or in other genes involved in irisin signaling. 3.390 JCR (2014) Q2, 14/50 Geriatrics & gerontology UEM

Purpose:To determine the association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism with leg-muscle explosive power in Spanish (white) elite basketball players and controls.Participants:100 (60 men) elite basketball players (cases) and 283 nonathletic controls.Methods:The authors assessed power performance by means of the vertical-squat and countermovement-jump tests.Results:Genotype distributions did not differ between groups (cases: 37.0% [RR], 42.0% [RX], and 21.0% [XX]; controls: 31.8% [RR], 49.8% [RX], and 18.4% [XX]; P = .353). The authors did not observe any effect of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism on study phenotypes in either group, including when they performed the analyses separately in men and women. They found no association between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and the likelihood of being an elite basketball player using the dominant or the recessive model, and the results remained unaltered when the analyses were adjusted for sex, weight, height, and age or when performed for men and women separately.Conclusions:Although the ACTN3 R577X is associated with explosive muscle performance and this phenotype is important in the sport of basketball (ie, during jumps), the authors found no association with leg explosive power in elite basket players or with the status of being this type of athlete.

BACKGROUND: The angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AGTR2) is a component of the renin-angiotensin system that mediates the effects of angiotensin II on cellular differentiation and growth, and plays several metabolic roles, i.e. muscular insulin regulation, cardiovascular and renal systems signalization. In the AGTR2 gene, the rs11091046 (A>C) polymorphism has been shown to be associated with muscle fibre type composition, athlete status and athletic performance in Caucasian population: the A allele being associated with a higher percentage of fast-twitch fibres and power-oriented athlete status. PURPOSE:To study whether the A allele of the AGTR2 rs11091046 (A>C) polymorphism is associated with sprint/power athletic performance in Japanese and Jamaican track and field athletes. METHODS:The AGTR2 rs11091046 polymorphism has been genotyped by TaqMan Genotyping Assay in 214 Japanese sprint/power athletes (42 international level, 172 national level, 56 women) and 815 Japanese healthy control subjects (601 women); and in 113 Jamaican sprint/power athletes (103 international level, 10 national level, 55 women) and 303 Jamaican healthy control subjects (152 women). All athletes answered a questionnaire about their competition results in order to assess athlete status. RESULTS:In the Japanese cohort, the C allele frequency was significantly higher in sprint/power athletes (68.0%) than in control subjects (56.5%) (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.40; P = 0.03), in men. In the Jamaican cohort, the C allele frequency in men sprint/power athletes (43.1%) tended to be higher than in control subjects (34.4%), without significance (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.87 - 1.81; P = 0.25). There were no significant differences in women for both Japanese and Jamaican populations. As shown by the low heterogeneity index (I2=0%), meta-analysis indicated that the frequency of the C allele was significantly higher in pooled (Japanese and Jamaican) men elite sprint/power athletes than in control subjects (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04 - 1.40; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION:In contrast to the result obtained in Caucasian population, the C allele of the AGTR2 rs11091046 polymorphism is associated with sprint/power athlete status in Japanese and Jamaican men. Further replicate and functional studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

We studied the single and combined influence of the ACE I/D and the ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms on muscle phenotypes (thigh muscles' cross-sectional area assessed with magnetic resonance imaging) and strength (maximal handgrip, 30-s chair stand test), functional ability during activities of daily living (Barthel index) and bone mineral density (proximal femur) in Caucasian (Spanish) community-dwelling old people [n = 81, 59 women; mean age 82.8 ± 4.8 years (range 71-93 years)]. We found no significantly differences in the aforementioned phenotypes across ACE and ACTN3 genotypes (all P > 0.05), except for handgrip in the ACE I/D recessive model (DD 19.5 ± 6.7 kg, ID 24.0 ± 9.1 kg, II 22.1 ± 7.9; P = 0.047), yet statistical significance disappeared after correction for multiple comparisons. Likewise, the analyses of the combined effects between genotypes did not yield any significant difference (all P > 0.05) between the two 'extreme' genotypes [theoretically 'power or muscularity oriented' [(ACTN3 RR + RX & ACE DD) versus 'non-power' (ACTN3 XX & ACE II + ID)]. The aforementioned analyses were adjusted by sex, age and physical activity levels as covariates. Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant association of single or combined effect of ACE and ACTN3 genotypes or genotype combination group (ACE + ACTN3) with sarcopenia (i.e. being in the lowest 25th sex-specific percentile for a combined score of the muscle and functional phenotypes we measured). Though ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms are candidates to modulate exercise-related phenotypes in adults, our data suggest that they do not exert a major influence in the muscle phenotypes of old people. More studies with larger sample sizes are needed. 2.660 JCR (2012) Q1, 12/84 Sport sciences, Q2, 29/80 Physiology UEM

We studied the A55T, E164K, I225T, K153R and P198A variants in the myostatin (GDF8) gene, muscle strength and mass, and physical function during daily living in 41 nonagenarians [33 women, age range, 90, 97]. No participant carried a mutant allele of the aforementioned variants, except three participants (all women), who carried the R allele of the K153R polymorphism, with one of them (woman aged 96 years) being homozygous. Overall, in KR women muscle phenotype values (1RM leg press and estimated muscle mass) were low-to-normal compared to the whole group (approximately 25th-50th percentile), and their functional capacity (Barthel and Tinetti tests) was normal. In the woman bearing the RR genotype, values of muscle mass and functional capacity were below the 25th percentile. She is the first RR Caucasian whose phenotype has been characterised specifically. In summary, heterozygosity for the GDF8 K153R polymorphism does not seem to exert a negative influence on the muscle phenotypes of women who are at the end of the human lifespan, yet homozygosity might do so. More research on larger cohorts of nonagenarians is needed to corroborate the present findings. 6.280 JCR (2010) Q1, 4/45 Geriatrics & gerontology UEM

We studied the association of ACE and ACTN3 polymorphisms with skeletal muscle phenotypes (i. e. upper and lower body muscular strength and functional tests) in Spanish nonagenarian subjects [n=41, 33 women, 8 men, age: 90-97 years]. Mean values of the study phenotypes were not significantly different (all P>0.05) between ACE and ACTN3 genotypes. The analyses of the combined effects between genotypes ( ACE DD & ACTN3 RR/RX vs. ACE II/ID & ACTN3 XX) did not yield any significant difference. Our data suggest that, in the elderly, the influence of genetic factors on muscle phenotype traits is not reducible to a few single polymorphisms, including ACE and ACTN3 variants. 2.381 JCR (2010) Q1, 13/80 Sport sciences UEM

Whether the Met235Thr (rs699) variation in the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene, encoding a threonine instead of a methionine in codon 235 of the mature protein, is associated with athletic performance remains to be elucidated. We compared the genotype and allele frequencies for the AGT Met235Thr variation (rs699) in 119 nonathletic controls, 100 world-class endurance athletes (professional cyclists, Olympic-class runners), and 63 power athletes (top-level jumpers, throwers, sprinters). Participants were all males and from the same descent (Caucasian) for > or =3 generations. The proportion of the CC genotype was significantly higher in the power group (34.9%) than in either the control (16%) or the endurance group (16%) (p = 0.008 and p = 0.005, respectively). The odds ratio (95% CI) of being a power athlete if the subject has a CC genotype was 1.681 (1.176-2.401), compared with the control group. In summary, the C allele of the AGT Met235Thr polymorphism might favour power sports performance. Although more research is needed, this could be attributed to the higher activity of angiotensin II, a skeletal muscle growth factor. 1.968 JCR (2009) Q1, 18/73 Sport sciences; Q3, 43/75 Physiology UEM