Association between a beta2-adrenergic receptor polymorphism and elite endurance performance

Area of Science:

• Human genetics
• Exercise physiology
• Pharmacogenomics

Background:

• The beta(2)-adrenoceptor (ADRB2) gene plays a role in physiological responses to exercise.
• Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes can influence athletic performance.
• The Arg16Gly polymorphism in ADRB2 has been investigated for its potential association with various traits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the Arg16Gly polymorphism of the human beta(2)-adrenoceptor (ADRB2) gene and endurance performance in elite athletes.
• To compare genotype frequencies of the ADRB2 Arg16Gly polymorphism between elite endurance athletes and sedentary controls.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 313 white male elite endurance athletes and 297 white male sedentary controls.
• Participants were recruited from North America, Finland, and Germany and matched by country of origin.
• Polymerase chain reaction was used to genotype the ADRB2 Arg16Gly polymorphism; VO2 max was measured to define athlete and control groups.

Main Results:

• ADRB2 genotypes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and did not differ by country or sport.
• A significant difference in genotype distribution was observed between elite endurance athletes and sedentary controls (P = .030).
• An excess of Gly allele carriers was found in the sedentary control group (P = .009), suggesting an unfavorable effect of the Gly allele on performance.

Conclusions:

• Suggestive evidence indicates a potential association between the Arg16Gly polymorphism in the ADRB2 gene and endurance performance in white men.
• The Gly allele may be associated with lower endurance performance status.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.