| Title: |
Genetic Polymorphisms Related to VO2max Adaptation Are Associated With Elite Rugby Union Status and Competitive Marathon Performance |
| Authors: |
Hall, ECR; Almeida, SS; Heffernan, SM; Lockey, SJ; Herbert, AJ; Callus, P; Day, SH; Pedlar, CR; Kipps, C; Collins, M; Pitsiladis, YP; Bennett, MA; Kilduff, LP; Stebbings, GK; Erskine, RM; Williams, AG |
| Source: |
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance pp. 1-7. (2021) (In press). |
| Publication Year: |
2021 |
| Collection: |
University College London: UCL Discovery |
| Subject Terms: |
endurance; exercise; genomics; heritability |
| Description: |
PURPOSE: Genetic polymorphisms have been associated with the adaptation to training in maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max). However, the genotype distribution of selected polymorphisms in athletic cohorts is unknown, with their influence on performance characteristics also undetermined. This study investigated whether the genotype distributions of 3 polymorphisms previously associated with V˙O2max training adaptation are associated with elite athlete status and performance characteristics in runners and rugby athletes, competitors for whom aerobic metabolism is important. METHODS: Genomic DNA was collected from 732 men including 165 long-distance runners, 212 elite rugby union athletes, and 355 nonathletes. Genotype and allele frequencies of PRDM1 rs10499043 C/T, GRIN3A rs1535628 G/A, and KCNH8 rs4973706 T/C were compared between athletes and nonathletes. Personal-best marathon times in runners, as well as in-game performance variables and playing position, of rugby athletes were analyzed according to genotype. RESULTS: Runners with PRDM1 T alleles recorded marathon times ∼3 minutes faster than CC homozygotes (02:27:55 [00:07:32] h vs 02:31:03 [00:08:24] h, P = .023). Rugby athletes had 1.57 times greater odds of possessing the KCNH8 TT genotype than nonathletes (65.5% vs 54.7%, χ2 = 6.494, P = .013). No other associations were identified. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to demonstrate that polymorphisms previously associated with V˙O2max training adaptations in nonathletes are also associated with marathon performance (PRDM1) and elite rugby union status (KCNH8). The genotypes and alleles previously associated with superior endurance-training adaptation appear to be advantageous in long-distance running and achieving elite status in rugby union. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
text |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10133175/1/57037.pdf; https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10133175/ |
| Availability: |
https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10133175/1/57037.pdf; https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10133175/ |
| Rights: |
open |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.FE7DB94F |
| Database: |
BASE |