ACTN3 Polymorphism: Comparison Between Elite Swimmers and Runners.

BACKGROUND: The human ACTN3 gene encodes α-actinin-3, an actin-binding protein with a pivotal role in muscle structure and metabolism. A common genetic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at codon 577 of the ACTN3 results in the replacement of an arginine (R) with a stop codon (X). The R allele is a normal functional version of the gene, whereas the X allele contains a sequence change that completely stops production of functional α-actinin-3 protein. The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism was found to be associated with power athletic performance especially among track and field athletes. The aim of the current study was to compare allelic and genotype frequencies of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism among runners and swimmers specializing in different distances, and >non-athletic controls. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-seven runners, 91 swimmers and 217 controls, participated in the study. Runners were assigned to two subgroups according to their event specialty-long-distance runners (LDR) and short-distance runners (SDR). Swimmers were also assigned to two subgroups according to their main swimming event-long-distance swimmers (LDS) and short-distance swimmers (SDS). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral EDTA-treated anti-coagulated blood using a standard protocol. Genotypes were determined using the Taqman allelic discrimination assay. RESULTS: Runners' genotype and allele differed significantly between LDR, SDR, and controls, with the lowest prevalence of RR genotype and R allele among LDR. XX genotype and X allele prevalence was significantly higher among LDR compared to the other groups (p < 0.01 for all). On the other hand, swimmers' genotype and allele frequencies did not differ significantly between subgroups (LDS and SDS). Yet, LDS had significantly higher RR genotype and R allele frequencies compared to LDR. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that while ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is a genetic polymorphism that may distinguish between SDR and LDR, it cannot differentiate significantly between SDS and LDS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01319032. KEY POINTS: ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is largely associated with running events specialization, with high prevalence of RR genotype and R allele frequency among short-distance runners compare to long-distance runners.Unlike in running, ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is not associated with swimming specialization.The inability of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism to distinguish between swimmers specializing in different events, presumably since other factors such as body physique, technique, tactics, etc., are more likely to determine such a distinction.

Frequency of the MSTN Lys(K)-153Arg(R) polymorphism among track & field athletes and swimmers.

UNLABELLED: The myostatin (MSTN) Lys(K)-153Arg(R) polymorphism may influence skeletal muscle phenotypes. Carrying the rare R allele was associated with greater muscle mass. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of the MSTN Lys(K)-153Arg(R) polymorphism among Israeli track and field athletes (n=185) and swimmers (n=80). METHODS: Track and field athletes were divided into long distance runners (major event 5000 m-marathon, n=113) and power athletes (major event 100200 m sprints and long jump, n=72). Swimmers were divided into long-distance swimmers (major event: 800-1500 m, n=38), and short-distance swimmers (major event: 50-100 m, n=42). The control group included 118 non-athletes healthy participants. RESULTS: Twenty-seven track and field athletes (14.6%) and 7 swimmers (8.8%) were carriers of the rare MSTN R allele, and only two carried the 153RR genotype (0.8%). MSTN 153R allele frequency was significantly higher in top-compared to national-level among long-distance runners (26% versus 8%, p<0.05), short distance runners (16% versus 9%, p<0.05), and all runners combined (20% versus 8%, p<0.05), but not in top- compared to national-level swimmers. The frequency of arginine carriers was significantly greater among long compared to short-distance swimmers (16% versus 2%, p<0.03). CONCLUSION: In contrast to elite endurance and power track and field athletes, the MSTN 153RR genotype was not found in short distance-swimmers, and among the long distance-swimmers it was not associated with top level swimming performance. Whether evaluation of the MSTN K153R polymorphism can be used for sports selection in young athletes needs to be further studied.

Repeated sprint ability in elite water polo players and swimmers and its relationship to aerobic and anaerobic performance.

The purpose of this study was to determine indices of swimming repeated sprint ability (RSA) in 19 elite water polo players compared to 16 elite swimmers during a repeated sprint swimming test (RST), and to examine the relationships between these indices and aerobic and anaerobic performance capabilities in both groups. Indices of RSA were determined by the ideal sprint time (IS), the total sprint time (TS), and the performance decrement (PD) recorded during an 8 x 15-m swimming RST. Single long - (800-m) and short-(25-m) distance swim tests were used to determined indices of aerobic and anaerobic swimming capabilities, respectively. The water polo players exhibited lower RSA swimming indices, as well as lower scores in the single short and long swim distances, compared to the swimmers. Significant relationships were found between the 25- m swim results and the IS and the TS, but not the PD of both the swimmers and the water polo players. No significant relationships were found between the 800-m swim results and any of the RSA indices in either the swimmers or the water polo players. No significant relationships were found between the 25-m and the 800-m swim results in either the swimmers or the water polo players. The results indicate that swimmers posses better RSA as well as higher anaerobic and aerobic capabilities, as reflected by the single short- and long-distance swim tests, compared to water polo players. The results also indicate that, as for running and cycling, repeated sprint swim performance is strongly related to single sprint performance. Key PointsElite water polo players demonstrated lower repeated sprint ability (RSA), aerobic and anaerobic capabilities compared to elite swimmers.A 25-m swim trial correlated significantly with ideal sprint time and total sprint time, emphasizing the important contribution of anaerobic metabolism for these exercise types in both water polo players and swimmers.800-m swim results did not correlate with RSA or 25-m swim results, demonstrating a discrepancy in exercise-dependent energy sources between the long distance swim and the other two testing procedures.

The relationship between short- and long-distance swimming performance and repeated sprint ability.

The purpose of this study was to determine indices of repeated sprint ability (RSA) during a repeated sprint swimming test (RST), to compare these with previous similar running and cycling RST, and to correlate these indices with the best short (100 m, as an index of anaerobic performance) and long (2,000 m, as an index of aerobic performance) distance swimming times in 20 elite, national team level, male swimmers. Indices of RSA included the ideal sprint time (IS), the total sprint time (TS), and the performance decrement (PD) recorded during an 8 × 15-m swimming RST. The PD during the present swimming RST (4.7 ± 2.3%) was similar to that in previous running or cycling RSTs. However, the physiological responses after the swimming RST (heart rate 168 ± 7 b·min(-1) and blood lactate concentration 5.5 ± 2.0 mmol·L(-1)) were lower than typical responses after running or cycling RSTs. There was no significant relationship between any of the RST performance indices and either the 100-m or 2,000-m swimming results. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the 3 RST indices (IS, TS, and PD), contributed 36% of the variance of the 2,000-m, but not the 100-m, swimming time. A strong correlation was found between the 100- and 2,000-m swim times (r = 0.74, p < 0.05). The results suggest that RSA in swimmers is a specific quality that cannot predict short- or long-distance swim performance. The significantly strong relationship between the 100- and 2,000-m swim times is unique for swimming.