Collagen Gene Variants and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Italian Athletes: A Preliminary Report

Several studies have investigated the role of genetics in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, often returning conflicting results. The present pilot study aimed to analyze the association between six Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs1800012; rs12722; rs13946; rs240736; rs970547; and rs4870723, located on the COL1A1, COL5A1, COL12A1, and COL14A1 genes), and ACL rupture, among Italian athletes. A hypothesis-driven association study was conducted. In total, 181 male and female athletes (n = 86 injured; n = 96 non-injured) were genotyped for the prioritized variants. All polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR RFLP, with the only exception being the rs1800012 on the COL1A1 gene, which was detected using MTPA PCR. The allele frequency distribution fell within the worldwide range. Despite the evident population variability, no selective pressure signals were recorded using PBS analysis. No significant difference was detected between the cases and controls for any of the SNPs (rs1800012; rs13946; rs240736; rs970547, and rs4870723) included in the analyses (p > 0.008, Bonferroni-adjusted for multiple comparisons). Moreover, no significant differences were found when males and females were assessed separately. Further investigations based on a larger sample size are needed, in order to draw solid conclusions for the influence between collagen genes and ACL rupture. © 2023 by the authors

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms, muscle mass and muscular explosive strength in elite soccer players.

Objective: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism is reported to be associated with muscle mass and strength [1], but the evidences for this is limited and conflicting. The present study examined the association between the polymorphisms of VDR gene BsmI, ApaI and FokI and muscular mass and strength in elite soccer players. Material/Methods: Thirty-nine top-level male soccer players (mean age 24.5±3.8) participated in the study. All examined athletes had reached National level. Ten out of thirty-nine athletes were official members of the National Teams and one of them had won the gold medal in the World FIFA (International Federation of Football Association) Championship in 2006. Athletes’ training consisted of 29.3±6.33 hours per week. Genomic DNA was extracted from buccal swabs, and VDR genotypes were determined by PCR. The explosive muscle strength of the lower limb was measure by mean of Squat Jump (SJ) and Counter Movement Jump (CMJ). Limb circumferences and skinfold thickness were measured on the right mid-thigh using a measuring tape and a skinfold calipers. Thigh muscle area (TMA) was calculated by an equation after measuring limb circumference and skinfold thickness. The differences in muscular strength and muscle area among VDR genotype groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results: The explosive leg muscle strength, and the thigh muscle area were not significantly different between VDR genotype groups. The analysis of variances indicate a similarity of TMA, SJ, CMJ values for BsmI (F=0.3884; df=6; p=0.87), ApaI (F=0.4708; df=6; p=0.82) and FokI genotypes (F=0.5701; df=6; p=0.74). However, the data also indicate a trend toward higher SJ value in soccer players with VDR FokI*ff genotype (ff, cm 44.4±8.9; Ff, cm 40.44±4.7; FF, cm 39.45±3.80) than those with FF homozygous. Conclusion: The data suggested that VDR BsmI and ApaI polymorphisms seem not to be associated with muscular strength and thigh muscle area in top-level soccer players. However, our results indicated that we cannot exclude the possibility that homozygosity for the FokI*f allele could represent an advantage to exert a better explosive muscular strength in soccer

Exercise Training, Lymphocyte Subsets and Their Cytokines Production: Experience of an Italian Professional Football Team and Their Impact on Allergy

Background. In recent years, numerous articles have attempted to shed light on our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of exercise-induced immunologic changes and their impact on allergy and asthma. It is known that lymphocyte subclasses, cytokines, and chemokines show modifications after exercise, but outcomes can be affected by the type of exercise as well as by its intensity and duration. Interesting data have been presented in many recent studies on mouse models, but few studies on humans have been performed to check the long-term effects of exercise over a whole championship season. Methods. This study evaluated lymphocyte subsets and their intracellular IL-2, IL-4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ production in professional football (soccer) players, at three stages of the season, to evaluate if alterations occur, particularly in relation to their allergic status. Results and Conclusion. Despite significant mid-season alterations, no significant lymphocyte subclasses count modifications, except for NKs that were significantly higher, were observed at the end. IL-2 and IL-4 producing cells showed a significant decrease (P=0.018 and P=0.001, but in a steady fashion for IL-4), confirming the murine data about the potential beneficial effects of aerobic exercise for allergic asthma

Genetic polymorphisms and skeletal muscle injuries among Italian soccer players

Introduction: Skeletal muscle injuries sustained during sport and their subsequent functional recoveries seem to be influenced by interactions between environmental stimuli (training, overload/overtraining, wrong techniques) and specific genotypes. Variations in DNA sequences in specific genes have been associated with specific phenotypes involved in athletic performance, including individual susceptibility to injury. Aim: The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the influence of five genetic polymorphisms (COL5A1 rs12722, MTC1 rs1049434, VDR Apa I, VDR Bsm I, and VDR Fok I), to the development of skeletal muscle injuries among soccer players. Methods: Sixty-four young male soccer players from three teams participating at the Official Italian Football Championship were recruited during the 2012-2013 season. The sample was genotyped for 5 SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) and data on injuries were collected in according to standard procedure. Using Total Genotype Score (TGS) the combined influence of the polymorphisms was analyzed. Results: No significant correlations were found between injuries and single genotypes or between incidence of injuries and TGS. The regression model highlighted that the combined influence of training volume and TGS significantly predicted injury rate, explaining 10% of the variability in injury incidence (R2 = 10.36, df = 2.61 , F = 3.52 , P=0.03)

Valorizzare, comunicare e fruire il patrimonio culturale statale tra sistemi locali, reti nazionali e competizione internazionale Ricognizione, analisi e valutazione dei modelli di valorizzazione permanente territoriale in Italia, individuazione e raccolta di best practices e linee-guida

Rapporto di ricerca del gruppo di lavoro al Ministero dei Beni Culturali nell'ambito del progetto Valorizzare, comunicare e fruire il patrimonio culturale statale tra sistemi locali, reti nazionali e competizione internazionale Ricognizione, analisi e valutazione dei modelli di valorizzazione permanente territoriale in Italia, individuazione e raccolta di best practices e linee-guid

ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is not associated with team sport athletic status in Italians

Background: The ACTN3 gene may influence performance in team sports, in which sprint action and high-speed movements, regulated by the anaerobic energy system, are crucial to the ultimate success of a match. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the ACTN3 R577X (rs1815739) polymorphism and elite team sport athletic status in Italian male athletes.Methods: We compared the genotype and allele frequency of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism between team sport athletes (n = 75), endurance athletes (n = 40), sprint/power athletes (n = 64), and non-athletic healthy controls (n = 192) from Italy. Genomic DNA was collected using a buccal swab. Extraction was performed according to the manufacturer's directions provided with a commercially available kit (Qiagen S.r.l., Milan, Italy).Results: Team sport athletes showed a lower frequency of the 577RR genotype compared to the 577XX genotype than sprint/power athletes (p = 0.044). However, the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism was not associated with team sport athletic status compared to endurance athletes and non-athletic controls.Conclusions: Our results agree with a recent large-scale study involving athletes from Spain, Poland, and Russia. The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism was not associated with team sport athletic status compared to endurance athletes and non-athletic controls

Return to Play after SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Competitive Athletes of Distinct Sport Disciplines in Italy: A FMSI (Italian Federation of Sports Medicine) Study

Background: SARS-CoV-2 can lead to several systemic complications, including myocardial injuries; these might be worsened by heavy physical activity. The optimal approach to cardiac risk stratification following SARS-CoV-2 infection in athletes for a safe return to play (RTP) still needs defining. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of abnormal RTP test results, according to the protocol of Italian Federation of Sport Medicine (FMSI), which was endorsed by the Italian Ministry of Health, potentially representing COVID-19-associated cardiac injuries. Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, observational study. All consecutive competitive athletes who underwent COVID-19 RTP testing protocol from 1 May to 31 July 2021, across 60 Italian Centers of Sports Medicine, were enrolled in the study. Athletes were tested at least 30 days after negativization of the nasopharyngeal swab (or immediately after negativization in professional athletes or Probable Olympians). A 12-lead electrocardiography at rest and during maximal incremental exercise test with continuous O2 saturation monitoring and an echocardiographic examination were part of the protocol. In athletes with “moderate” disease (NHI classification), 24 h ECG monitoring (to be performed on a training day) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were also performed. Results: A total of 4143 athletes (67.8% males and 32.2% females) (53% > 18 years, 20% 18–35 years and 16% > 35 years), from more than 40 different sport disciplines, were included in the study. The mean age was 22.5 ± 13.3 years, with ages ranging from 8 to 80 years. Of these athletes, 52.3% were asymptomatic, 46.4% manifested mild symptoms, 1.1% and 0.14% had moderate or severe symptoms, respectively, while critical illness was evident in one athlete. Abnormal echocardiographic findings were detected in 80 cases (1.9%), and pericarditis in 7 cases (0.2%); all were from mildly symptomatic athletes. Arrhythmic events were recorded in 239 athletes, with 224 (5.4%) in the exercise test and 15 (0.4%) during 24 h ECG monitoring. Ventricular arrhythmias were observed in 101 (2.4%) athletes from the total population (mostly isolated or couples of premature ventricular beats): 91 in the exercise test and 10 during 24 h ECG monitoring. Cardiac magnetic resonance was performed in 34 athletes; the presence of myocarditis was confirmed in 5 athletes (0.12% of the total population, 14.7% of athletes in which MRI was performed). Conclusions: According to our results, cardiac complications from SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic competitive athletes are rare, and an RTP assessment based on symptoms and ECG-monitored exercise test would ensure a safe RTP in these athletes