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Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(5): 387-392
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1105931
Genetics & Molecular Biology

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Genotype Distributions in Top-level Soccer Players: A Role for ACE?

P. Juffer 1 , R. Furrer 1 , M. González-Freire 1 , C. Santiago 1 , Z. Verde 1 , L. Serratosa 2 , F. J. Morate 2 , J. C. Rubio 3 , M. A. Martin 3 , J. R. Ruiz 4 , J. Arenas 3 , F. Gómez-Gallego 1 , A. Lucia 1
  • 1Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain
  • 2Medical Center, Real Madrid, Madrid, Spain
  • 3Genomics Center, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
  • 4Unit for Preventive Nutrition, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge Sweden
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision October 12, 2008

Publication Date:
10 March 2009 (online)

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Abstract

We determined the genotype and allelic frequency of several genetic polymorphisms (ACE I/D, GDF-8 K153R [and also E164 K, P198A and I225 T] and AMPD1 C34 T) that are candidates to influence sports performance in a group of 54 male professional soccer players. Their results were compared with those of elite endurance male athletes (52 runners) and 123 sedentary, healthy men (controls). We found statistical significance for the ACE ID (χ2 (2)=8.176, P=0.017) and II genotypes (χ2 (2)=16.137, P<0.001) with a higher and lower frequency of ID (P=0.005) and II (P<0.001), respectively, in soccer players than in endurance runners. Statistical significance was also reached for AMPD1 (with a higher frequency of the CT genotype in soccer players than in runners [χ2 (2)=7.538, P=0.006]) but not for GDF-8 K153R. Since the ACE II genotype is associated with improved potential for endurance performance but with decreased training gains in muscle mass and strength, these findings together with previous results [37] support the notion that elite soccer players tend to have a power/strength oriented genotype.

Key words

myostatin - GDF-8 - AMPD1 - genetics - sports - power - endurance

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Correspondence

Prof. A. Lucia

Department of Physiology

Universidad Europea de Madrid

Villaviciosa de Odón

28670 Madrid

Spain

Phone: +34/91/664 78 00

Fax: +34/91/616 82 65

Email: alejandro.lucia@uem.es

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