A statistical model for ACTN3 genotype in elite power and speed athletes

Abstract

The presence of R allele in R577X polymorphism of ACTN3 gene is responsible for expression of α-actinin-3 protein in fast glycolytic muscle fiber with a key role in structure and metabolism. The ACTN3 R577X gene polymorphism was found to be associated with strength and power performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and elite power/speed performance and to determine its relationship to the power/speed athletic status (elite athlete and nonathlete) in 48 subjects (23 power/speed athletes and 25 nonathletes) from Indian cohort. The association analysis did not show any significant association when conducted for all genotypes (RR vs RX vs XX) in athletes and nonathletes (p > 0.05). The association of R allele dominant (RR+XX) model and X allele dominant (RX+XX) model was also not significant (p > 0.05) when compared for athletic and nonathletic status, however, the frequency of RR genotype was higher in athletes than in nonathletes. The odds of becoming power/speed athlete with the possession of RR genotype and R allele carriage (RR+RX) was higher, although the prediction was not significant (p > 0.05). It can be inferred on the basis of selected samples that the possession of RR genotype or R allele does not provide any significant advantage for being power/speed athlete.