The role of ACTN3 R/X and ACE I/D in the development of endurance in athletes

Abstract

Annotation. Endurance – one of the most important sports components, which allows you to overcome the workload for a given time without significant losses in strength and speed. It is most manifested in such sports as swimming, skiing, marathon, cycling, gymnastics. Since the endurance development is mostly influenced not only by epigenomic factors, but also by the genotype of the athlete, so the purpose of this review article is to study the effects of ACTN3 and ACE genes on this physical component. In order to do so, we used basic databases to process information that is known to date on the effects of these genes and their variations. The search was conducted up to and including January 2022 in accordance with PRISMA recommendations. Genes under our study affects endurance in different ways, for example, ACTN3 R577X polymorphism increases the number of slow muscle fibers, and the presence of wild allele “I” of the ACE gene slows down the bradykinin decomposition which mitigates the workload impact on the cardiovascular system, thereby facilitating its adaptation, although there is evidence of an increased risk of injury. The purpose of the review results is to help each athlete in selection of training tactics, which could help him in sports achievements.