Practical uses of genetic profile assessment in athletic training – an illustrative case study

Recent studies suggested that several potential genes may explain athletic success. However, while genetic assessment will probably become part of future talent identification, at present, genetic testing predictive value is poor, mainly because athletic success depends on a combination of genetic, physiological, behavioral and environmental factors (including coaching, medical, nutritional, psychological, equipment, facilities and administrative aspects). However, one should consider genetic testing not only for talent identification or sport event selection, but also for possible assistance in the training process itself. In the present case study we show an example of potential practical use of genetic profile assessment for improving the athletic training process. We deliberately chose a case study of a national-level athlete to show that genetic aid should not be limited to top world-class athletes

The AGT M235T (RS699, 4072T>C) polymorphism is not associated with elite weightlifting performance

It is now well established that genetic background influences an athlete’s ability to excel in different sport disciplines. Previous studies have demonstrated that among power athletes, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the AGT genotype (Thr-Thr), was significantly more prevalent among weightlifters compared to sprinters and jumpers indicating that despite the common features of these sport subtypes (short and very intense), they vary in their strength and speed abilities, as well as in their genetic make-up. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the AGT SNP can be used also to distinguish elite from national levels weightlifters. The AGT M235T genotype frequencies were assessed in 47 weightlifters (30 elite, 17 national level) and 86 non-athletes control. The Thr-Thr genotype was significantly higher among weightlifters (29.8%) compared to controls (12.8%) (p=0.048). Thr allele frequency was significantly higher among weightlifters (55.3%) compared to controls (37.8%) (p=0.021). However, there was no difference in the prevalence of the polymorphism between national level and elite athletes. In conclusion, the results suggest that the AGT polymorphism cannot predict elite competitive weightlifting performance

Prevalence of ACSL (rs6552828) polymorphism among runners

The ACSL A/G polymorphism is associated with endurance trainability. Previous studies have demonstrated that homozygotes of the minor AA allele had a reduced maximal oxygen consumption response to training compared to the common GG allele homozygotes, and that the ACSL A/G single nucleotide polymorphism explained 6.1% of the variance in the VO2max response to endurance training. The contribution of ACSL single nucleotide polymorphism to endurance trainability was shown in nonathletes, however, its potential role in professional athletes is not clear. Moreover, the genetic basis to anaerobic trainability is even less studied. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of ACSL single nucleotide polymorphism among professional Israeli long distance runners (n=59), middle distance runners (n=31), sprinters and jumpers (n=48) and non-athletic controls (n=60). The main finding of the present study was that the ACSL1 AA genotype, previously shown to be associated with reduced endurance trainability, was not higher among sprinters and jumpers (15%) compared to middle- (16%) and long-distance runners (15%). This suggests that in contrast to previous studies indicating that the ACSL1 single nucleotide polymorphism may influence endurance trainability among non-athletic individuals, the role of this polymorphism among professional athletes is still not clear

Changes in Aerobic and Anaerobic Performance Capabilities Following Different Interval-Training Programs

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of an increasing-distance interval-training program and a decreasing-distance interval-training program, matched for total distance, on aerobic and anaerobic performance capabilities. Forty physical education students were randomly assigned to either increasing- or decreasing-distance interval-training group (ITG and DTG), and completed two similar sets of tests before and after six weeks of training. One training program consisted of 100 – 200 – 300 – 400 – 500m running intervals, and the other 500 – 400 – 300 – 200 - 100m. While both training programs led to a significant improvement in 2000m run (ES = 0.02-0.68), the improvement in the DTG was significantly greater than in the ITG (18.3 ± 3.6 vs. 12.2 ± 3.2 %, p< 0.05). In addition, while both training programs led to a significant improvement in 300m run (ES = 0.25-0.73), the improvement in the DTG was significantly greater than in the ITG (21.1 ± 1.8 vs. 15.4 ± 1.1 %, p< 0.05). The findings indicate that beyond the significant positive effects of both training programs, the DTG showed significant superiority over the ITG in improving aerobic and anaerobic performance capabilities. Athletes should acknowledge that, in spite of identical total work, interval-training program might induce different physiological impacts if order of intervals is different

Rethinking extra-time in major national football tournaments

Extra-time (ET) of 30 minutes is played if football match scores are level after 90 minutes in tournament knockout play. The demanding schedule of these tournaments along with possible ET matches in the knockout stages significantly increase players’ overload and injury risk. Present study aimed to determine whether ET during major football national team tournaments contributes to the game outcome. Data on the percentage of elimination matches that needed ET, and the percentage of ET matches that eventually required shootouts were retrieved. Over the years, increased number of participating teams lead to increased number of knockout games, and more knockout games needed ET (13% until 1978, 33% from 1982, in FIFA World Cup). In a significant percentage of matches, the ET itself did not determine the winning team, and the majority of ET matches winners were determined by shootouts (FIFA World Cup since 1982: 60.8%; UEFA European championship: 61.3%; Copa America: 92%). The purpose of playing ET is to make a fair game outcome, and not leave the winning decision for shootouts. However, since in most matches ET does not determine the winner, while significantly increasing the player’s overload and injury susceptibility, the need for ET mandates rethinking

GNAS A-1121G Variant is Associated with Improved Diastolic Dysfunction in Response to Exercise Training in Heart Failure Patients

β1-adrenergic receptors (ADRB1) and Gαs proteins (GNAS) play important roles in the regulation of cardiac function. The present study sought to investigate whether ADRB1 Arg389Gly (rs1801253), GNAS -1211 G/A (rs6123837) and GNAS 2291 C/T (rs6026584) variants are associated with left ventricular function and exercise tolerance in heart failure patients. 61 heart failure patients completed a 6-month exercise-training programme. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), mitral inflow velocities (deceleration time, and E/A ratio) and exercise tolerance (METs) were assessed at baseline and following exercise training. There were no associations between the studied variants and LVEF or E/A ratio measured at baseline and after exercise training. Deceleration time of early mitral flow was higher at baseline in GNAS -1211G allele carriers compared with -1211A allele homozygotes (P<0.05). Exercise training attenuated deceleration time in -1211G allele carriers (P<0.05) but not in -1211A allele homozygotes. Moreover, ADRB1 389Gly homozygotes had a greater training-induced increase in exercise tolerance than 389Arg homozygotes (P=0.04). This study shows that the functional GNAS -1121 G/A polymorphism is associated with diastolic function at baseline and in response to exercise training in heart failure patients. Furthermore, our data suggest that ADRB1 Arg389Gly polymorphism may influence exercise tolerance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio