ACE/VDR gene polymorphisms and bioelectrical impedance analysis in predicting athletic performances of Italian Young soccer players.

We evaluated the association between 2 genetic polymorphisms known to be involved in fitness and performance, and anthropometric features, body composition, and athletic performances in young male soccer players with the goal of identifying genetic profiles that can be used to achieve maximal results from training. One hundred twenty-five medium-high-level male soccer players were genotyped for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D, and vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI gene polymorphisms and scored for anthropometric measurements, body composition, and athletic performance. Body mass index, fat mass, fat-free mass, resistance, reactance, impedance, phase angle (PA), and body cell mass were measured. Athletic performance was evaluated by squat jump, countermovement jump (CMJ), 2-kg medicine ball throw, 10- and 20-m sprint time. We observed that the homozygous ff genotype of the VDR gene was significantly more represented in young soccer players than in a matched sedentary population. Values of reactance and PA were differently distributed in ACE and VDR genotypes with high mean values in subjects with DD (ACE) and FF (VDR) genotypes. No correlation was observed between ACE or VDR genotypes and 2-kg medicine ball throw, 10- and 20-m sprint times. The ID genotype of ACE was associated with the best performances in squat jump and CMJ. Our results suggest that determination of ACE and VDR genotypes might help select those young athletes harboring the most favorable genetic potential to succeed in soccer

Variations in salivary testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA levels in professional rugby union players during the preseason training period

Excessive training and inadequate recovery can lead to states of overtraining and performance decrements. The anabolic-catabolic balance by testosterone, cortisol and DHEA-S resulted a useful endogenous indicator to evaluate and monitor the athlete’s training state and the effectiveness of the training program [1]. In this study sixteen professional rugby players provided saliva samples during the official preseason training period. Hormone saliva levels were determined by immunoenzymatic assay (Grifols, Italy). The results showed that both cortisol levels and DHEA-S to cortisol ratio levels significantly decreased during the initial reduced training sub-period according to the goal of the training program. Furthermore the testosterone to cortisol ratio levels significantly increased during the initial sub-period as weel as during the organic muscle conditioning period and after a 2-day recovery time following the conditioning period. Testosterone levels were positively correlated with the Gacon physical test and the maximum cardiac frequence during the initial reduced training sub-period. No correlation was observed between hormone levels and genotype. However ACE genotypes (I/D polymorphism) statistically correlated with the different morphotype related to the rugby player position. Our data shows that cortisol and testosterone to cortisol ratio levels can be considered useful tools to evaluate the athlete’s physical stress during the training program. According to data available in literature the morphotype related to the rugby player position is deeply affected by the ACE gene polymorphism

ACE and VDR gene polymorphisms in Italian soccer players

In this study we evaluate the role of Angiotensin Converting Enzime (ACE) I/D and Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) FokI gene polymorphisms in affecting anthropometric characteristics, body composition and athletic performances in young soccer players. Seventy one medium-high level soccer players were genotyped and scored for anthropometric measurements, for body composition assessment and for physical performance evaluations. Body mass index, fat mass, fat free mass, resistance, reactance, impedance, phase angle and body cell mass were measured by conventional BIVA method. Physical performance evaluations were: squat jump, counter movement jump, 2 kg medicine ball throw, 10 and 20 meter sprint time. From our data it emerged that ff genotype is significantly higher in young soccer players than in our control sedentary population. Values of reactance are differently distributed in the ACE and VDR genotypes with high mean values in subjects with DD and FF genotypes; subjects with FF genotype showed also higher angle phase and body cell mass. The best athletic performances, measured during squat jump and counter movement jump, were obtained by subjects with ID and DD genotype. In young soccer players both ACE I/D and VDR FokI gene polymorphisms play a crucial role in determining athletic performance and body composition

Association between the BRCA2 N372H variant and male breast cancer risk: a population-based case-control study in Tuscany, Central Italy

Background: Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare disease and little is known about its aetiology. Germline mutations of BRCA2 and, at lower frequency, of BRCA1 are implicated in a relatively small proportion of MBC cases. Common polymorphic variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes may represent breast cancer (BC) susceptibility alleles and could be associated with a modestly increased risk of MBC at population level. Considering the relevant role of BRCA2 in MBC, we investigated whether the BRCA2 N372H variant, representing the only common non-synonymous polymorphism in BRCA2, might modulate the risk of BC in male populations.Methods: A case-control study was performed comparing a population-based series of 99 MBC cases, characterized for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, with 261 male population controls, all residing in Tuscany, Central Italy. All MBC cases and controls were genotyped for the BRCA2 N372H allele by TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. To evaluate the genotype specific risk of the BRCA2 N372H variant, MBC carriers of germ-line BRCA1/2 mutations were excluded from the analyses.Results: No association emerged in univariate and age-adjusted analyses. Age-specific analyses suggested an increased risk for the HH homozygous genotype in subjects younger than 60 years. A statistically significant interaction emerged between this genotype and age (p = 0.032). When analyses were restricted to MBC cases enrolled in the first 4 years following diagnosis, a recessive model showed a significantly increased risk of MBC in HH subjects younger than 60 years (OR = 5.63; 95% CI = 1.70; 18.61).Conclusion: Overall, our findings, although based on a relatively small series, suggest that the BRCA2 HH homozygous genotype might be positively associated with an increased risk of MBC in men younger than 60 years

Accuracy of a 3D laser/camera surface imaging system for setup verification of the pelvic and thoracic regions in radiotherapy treatments

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to investigate the accuracy of a laser/camera surface imaging system (Sentinel) when used on patients treated in the thorax or pelvic regions and to evaluate system employment conditions and patient setup procedures that provide more accurate results. Methods: The system was tested on two groups of patients for whom different patient setup procedures and Sentinel employment conditions were considered. For the first group of 33 patients (FG) no changes to the usual setup procedures were made and a surface extension limited to the treated region was considered. For the second group of 14 patients (SG) the reproducibility of external body surfaces, including body parts not in close proximity to the treatment site, was optimized and a wider surface was captured. In all cases the system accuracy was evaluated comparing registration results from concurrent Sentinel and cone beam CT (CBCT) acquisitions for a total of 192 occasions. External body surfaces, extracted from planning CT studies, were used as reference in both cases, but for SG also surface data captured by Sentinel system at the first treatment were employed. Results: In the 90th percentile of the distributions reporting CBCT and Sentinel registration parameters, absolute differences for FG were less than 6.4 mm and 3.8°. Better performances were observed for SG (≤5.7 mm and 2°). Mean absolute differences between three translation and three rotation parameters of CBCT and Sentinel were: less than 3.5 mm and 2.1° and 3.7 mm and 1.3° in FG for thorax and pelvis, respectively, and less than 2.8 mm and 1° and 2.7 mm and 0.9° for pelvis and thorax, respectively, in SG. No advantage in considering surface data captured by Sentinel as a reference instead of the surface extracted from the planning CT was observed. Conclusions: The accuracy of Sentinel system in detecting errors is influenced by the extension and reliability of the surface used. When the reproducibility of external body surfaces was optimized differences between CBCT and Sentinel registration parameters resulted less than 5.7 mm and 2° in the 90% of the pelvis and thorax considered cases. No advantage in considering a Sentinel acquisition as reference was observed. © 2013 American Association of Physicists in Medicine

Salivary testosterone and cortisol levels to assess conditioning training program in rugby union players

Aim. To prevent overtraining and to ensure that the athletic training program will result in performance improvements, regular performance tests as well as heart rate evaluation and questionnaires are necessary. However none of them are routinely performed on regular basis mainly for their interference with the session training thus leading to the risk of an overreaching which in turn may result in an overtraining. In this study we evaluate the possibility to monitor the development of the training program of high level rugby players by a simple, non invasive and fast salivary testosterone and cortisol measure. Methods. Testosterone and cortisol samplings were performed in several moments of the pre-season training program. Measures were correlated with anthropometric evaluations performed by bioelectrical impedance analysis before and after the training program. To assess a potential role of genetic, athletes were also genotyped for ACTN3 and ACE gene polymorphisms. Results. Data from this study show that hormone salivary measures correlate with changes in anthropometric values during the training program. No correlations were observed between genotypes and variations in hormone levels; however, ACE genotype correlates with the different team position of rugby players. Conclusion. Hormone salivary measures represent a valid, fast , non-invasive and stress-free system of monitoring the athletic preparation

ACE/VDR gene polymorphisms and bioelectrical impedance analysis in predicting athletic performances of Italian Young soccer players

We evaluated the association between 2 genetic polymorphisms known to be involved in fitness and performance, and anthropometric features, body composition, and athletic performances in young male soccer players with the goal of identifying genetic profiles that can be used to achieve maximal results from training. One hundred twenty-five medium-high-level male soccer players were genotyped for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D, and vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI gene polymorphisms and scored for anthropometric measurements, body composition, and athletic performance. Body mass index, fat mass, fat-free mass, resistance, reactance, impedance, phase angle (PA), and body cell mass were measured. Athletic performance was evaluated by squat jump, countermovement jump (CMJ), 2-kg medicine ball throw, 10- and 20-m sprint time. We observed that the homozygous ff genotype of the VDR gene was significantly more represented in young soccer players than in a matched sedentary population. Values of reactance and PA were differently distributed in ACE and VDR genotypes with high mean values in subjects with DD (ACE) and FF (VDR) genotypes. No correlation was observed between ACE or VDR genotypes and 2-kg medicine ball throw, 10- and 20-m sprint times. The ID genotype of ACE was associated with the best performances in squat jump and CMJ. Our results suggest that determination of ACE and VDR genotypes might help select those young athletes harboring the most favorable genetic potential to succeed in soccer

Salivary testosterone and cortisol levels to assess conditioning training program in rugby union players

Aim. To prevent overtraining and to ensure that the athletic training program will result in performance improvements, regular performance tests as well as heart rate evaluation and questionnaires are necessary. However none of them are routinely performed on regular basis mainly for their interference with the session training thus leading to the risk of an overreaching which in turn may result in an overtraining. In this study we evaluate the possibility to monitor the development of the training program of high level rugby players by a simple, non invasive and fast salivary testosterone and cortisol measure. Methods. Testosterone and cortisol samplings were performed in several moments of the pre-season training program. Measures were correlated with anthropometric evaluations performed by bioelectrical impedance analysis before and after the training program. To assess a potential role of genetic, athletes were also genotyped for ACTN3 and ACE gene polymorphisms. Results. Data from this study show that hormone salivary measures correlate with changes in anthropometric values during the training program. No correlations were observed between genotypes and variations in hormone levels; however, ACE genotype correlates with the different team position of rugby players. Conclusion. Hormone salivary measures represent a valid, fast , non-invasive and stress-free system of monitoring the athletic preparation

Angiotensin-converting enzyme/vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism and bioelectrical impedance analysis in predicting athletic performances of italian young soccer players

We evaluated the association between 2 genetic polymorphisms known to be involved in fitness and performance, and anthropometric features, body composition, and athletic performances in young male soccer players with the goal of identifying genetic profiles that can be used to achieve maximal results from training. One hundred twenty-five medium-high-level male soccer players were genotyped for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D, and vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI gene polymorphisms and scored for anthropometric measurements, body composition, and athletic performance. Body mass index, fat mass, fat-free mass, resistance, reactance, impedance, phase angle (PA), and body cell mass were measured. Athletic performance was evaluated by squat jump, countermovement jump (CMJ), 2-kg medicine ball throw, 10- and 20-m sprint time. We observed that the homozygous ff genotype of the VDR gene was significantly more represented in young soccer players than in a matched sedentary population. Values of reactance and PA were differently distributed in ACE and VDR genotypes with high mean values in subjects with DD (ACE) and FF (VDR) genotypes. No correlation was observed between ACE or VDR genotypes and 2-kg medicine ball throw, 10- and 20-m sprint times. The ID genotype of ACE was associated with the best performances in squat jump and CMJ. Our results suggest that determination of ACE and VDR genotypes might help select those young athletes harboring the most favorable genetic potential to succeed in soccer