2014, Volume 6, Issue 3

Association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in Polish rowers



Zbigniew Jastrzebski1, Agata Leonska-Duniec2, Marek Kolbowicz3, Tomasz Tomiak4

1Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk
21. Faculty of Tourism and Recreation; 2. Faculty of Physical Culture and Health Promotion, 1. Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk; 2. University of Szczecin
3Faculty of Physical Culture and Health Promotion, University of Szczecin
4Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk


Author for correspondence: Zbigniew Jastrzebski; Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk; email: zb.jastrzebski[at]op.pl

DOI: 10.2478/bjha-2014-0019

Full text

Abstract

Background: The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism has been associated with an elite athlete status. Several studies have determined that the R allele is connected with power-oriented athletic performance, whereas the nonfunctional XX genotype may give some beneficial effect for endurance performance. The main aim of the study was to determine the possible interaction between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and an endurance athlete status in a group of Polish rowers in comparison with sedentary individuals.
Material/Methods: 121 male Polish rowers, members of academic sports clubs, and 115 unrelated volunteers were recruited for the study. Genotyping for the R577X variant was performed by PCR–RFLP. 
Results: The genotype distribution amongst the rowers (52.06% RR, 38.85% RX, 9.09% XX) was significantly different from that amongst sedentary individuals (RR-33.5%; RX-49.60%; XX-17,35%; P = 0.024). A significant excess of the R allele was noted in the rowers (71.48%, P = 0.008) when comparing with the controls (60.0%).
Conclusions: The obtained results show that the ACTN3 X allele and XX genotype are underrepresented in Polish rowers and they are not advantageous for the endurance-type athletes in the studied population. On the contrary, the R allele seems to be useful for a top-level rower. However, additional studies are needed to clarify this problem.


Key words: gene polymorphism, endurance athletes


Cite this article as:

AMA:

Jastrzebski Z, Leonska-Duniec A, Kolbowicz M et al. Association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in Polish rowers. Balt J Health Phys Activ. 2014;6(3). doi:10.2478/bjha-2014-0019

APA:

Jastrzebski, Z., Leonska-Duniec, A., Kolbowicz, M., & Tomiak, T. (2014). Association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in Polish rowers. Balt J Health Phys Activ, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.2478/bjha-2014-0019

Chicago:

Jastrzebski, Zbigniew, Leonska-Duniec Agata, Kolbowicz Marek, Tomiak Tomasz. 2014. "Association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in Polish rowers". Balt J Health Phys Activ 6 (3). doi:10.2478/bjha-2014-0019

Harvard:

Jastrzebski, Z., Leonska-Duniec, A., Kolbowicz, M., and Tomiak, T. (2014). Association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in Polish rowers. Balt J Health Phys Activ, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.2478/bjha-2014-0019

MLA:

Jastrzebski, Zbigniew et al. "Association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in Polish rowers." Balt J Health Phys Activ, vol. 6, no. 3, 2014. doi:10.2478/bjha-2014-0019

Vancouver:

Jastrzebski Z, Leonska-Duniec A, Kolbowicz M et al. Association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in Polish rowers. Balt J Health Phys Activ 2014; 6(3). Available from: doi:10.2478/bjha-2014-0019