Associations Between ACTN3 Genotypes And Athletic Performance

Objective—Theα-actinins are an ancient family of actin-binding proteins that play structural and regulatory roles in cytoskeletal organisation and muscle contraction.α-actinins-3 is restricted to fast glycolytic fibres in skeletal muscle. Here, we demonstrate associations between ACTN3 genotypes and athletic performance.Methods—Using the method of PCR-RFLP, 123 northern Han people were compared with 206 northern university students. In addition, 102 northern Han soldiers were required to conduct 5000m long-distance-running training with the intensity of 95-105% ventilatory threshold (VT) for 18 weeks. The changes of their related body components, aerobic ability, form and functions of the left ventricle, before and after the training, were compared in order to explore the relationship of ACTN3 genotype and the effect of stamina training.Results and Conclusions—1. Among Northern Han people, the frequency of distribution of C1747T was: 56% for C allele, 44% for T allele; the frequency of distribution of A1920C was: 86% for A allele and 14% for C allele;2. There was no significant difference between northern elite long-distance running athletes and control group in the distribution of location C1747T and A1920C. However, the frequency of 1920C allele of international-master group was higher than that of the control group (20%:14%). Besides, the 1920AC genotype of the international-master group was higher than that of the control group (35%:24%). It is suggested that C allele and AC genotype of location A1920C might be one of the genetic locations for talent selecting of aerobic stamina;3. On location C1747T, CC genotype might be a genetic mark for Maximal oxygen uptake utility of aerobic stamina. TC genotype might be a genetic mark of oxygen-uptake ability under RE which is helpful to aerobic stamina. TT genotype might work as the genetic mark for thickness of ventricular posterior wall which is helpful to aerobic stamina.4. On location A1920C, AA genotype might work as a genetic mark for the maximum oxygen-uptake ability and the thickness of a ventricular wall which are helpful to the aerobic stamina.