A study on ACE, ACTN3, and VDR genes polymorphism in Thai weightlifters

Abstract

© 2018, Walailak University. All rights reserved. In order to excel in sport, apart from the correct training, the genetic combination of an individual may also be a factor in making an elite athlete. Weightlifting, as a popular sport, has a unique bio-mechanism dealing with muscle performance. The current study investigated the polymorphisms of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), the α-actinin-3 (ACTN3), and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes (individually or in combination) in Thai weightlifters. A total of 117 male and female national and junior Thai weightlifters, and 99 healthy sedentary people were recruited for this study. Genotyping was analyzed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). When compared to the junior and non-athletes group, the genotype and allele frequencies of ACE (DD), ACTN3 (RR), and VDR (ff) were more frequent in both male and female national weightlifters. In addition, the genotype combinations between ACE (DD) + VDR (ff), ACE (DD) + ACTN3 RR, and ACTN3 RR + VDR ff presented highly in both genders of national weightlifters. Taken together, our results suggest that the ACTN3 and VDR genotype, individually or in combination, may influence muscle performance in weightlifters, appearing to significantly contribute to better weightlifting performance.