Abstract
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n1p11 The elderly population has grown substantially, and the decline in physical capacities and increase in the body fat percentage are important characteristics of aging. Genetic factors may explain these declines and studies related to this issue are justified because they predict what physical capacities present larger declines in different individuals and enable the adoption of strategies to slow them. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ACE I / D and ACTN3 R / X genetic polymorphisms on body fat, muscle strength and power levels, aerobic capacity, flexibility and agility in older women. Sixty-six older women were genotyped with respect to ACTN3 and ACE polymorphisms for the division of groups and submitted to anthropometric measurements, physical tests in the AAHPERD and RIKLI and JONES test batteries and IPAQ to determine the level of physical activity and the Food Consumption Marker Form. Older women with XX genotype in relation to ACTN3 genotype had lower levels of flexibility of upper and lower limbs and lower cardiorespiratory fitness. Moreover, in relation to the ACE genotype, ID individuals exhibited higher cardiorespiratory fitness and lower body fat percentages. In relation to the other variables, there was no statistical difference among groups. It was concluded that the genetic variants under study play a role in some of the physical capacities and body composition in elderly women. In the future, data of this nature will enable each individual to have specific health interventions directed to the variables showing higher genetic potential for decline.
Highlights
Aging is the phase of physiological and functional performance decline after an improvement during childhood, reaching maximum levels from late adolescence to the age of 30 years[1], being a result of genetic and environmental factors such as level of physical activity, eating habits, smoking, environment in which the individual is inserted, among others[2]
Genetic polymorphisms in the genes of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and alpha-actinin protein 3 (ACTN3), which can potentially influence physical fitness in the elderly
ACTN3 is found in fast-twitch fibers, suggesting that R577X polymorphism is related to functionality, power and muscle strength[11], as shown by Kim et al.[12], who found lower frequency of XX genotype for the ACTN3 gene in elite athletes compared with non-athletes and by Norman et al.[13], who showed that individuals with XX genotype for the ACTN3 gene have lower signaling for metabolic pathways associated with hypertrophy and less use of muscle glycogen during exercise
Summary
Aging is the phase of physiological and functional performance decline after an improvement during childhood, reaching maximum levels from late adolescence to the age of 30 years[1], being a result of genetic and environmental factors such as level of physical activity, eating habits, smoking, environment in which the individual is inserted, among others[2]. ACTN3 is found in fast-twitch fibers (type II), suggesting that R577X polymorphism is related to functionality, power and muscle strength[11], as shown by Kim et al.[12], who found lower frequency of XX genotype for the ACTN3 gene in elite athletes compared with non-athletes and by Norman et al.[13], who showed that individuals with XX genotype for the ACTN3 gene have lower signaling for metabolic pathways associated with hypertrophy and less use of muscle glycogen during exercise. Those who express ACTN3 (RX or RR genotypes) have advantage in activities that require strength or muscle power, while those who do not express ACTN3 (XX genotype) have advantage in predominantly aerobic activities
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