The relationship between ACE gene ID polymorphism and aerobic capacity in Asian rugby players

The aim of this study was to analyse the association between the ACE ID polymorphism and aerobic capacity in a homogeneous cohort of national Asian rugby players.

17 subjects recruited during active training had their maximal oxygen uptake (V0 2 max) and ventilatory threshold (VT) measured during maximal exercise testing. ACE genotyping was performed for all players.

The likelihood of having a V0 2 max above the 80th percentile of a gender-specific reference range for a normal population was 14.3-fold greater among subjects with the II genotype as compared to the ID genotype (p-value is 0.030). Similarly, subjects with the II genotype were 29.4 times more likely to have a VT above the gender-specific median value compared to the ID genotype (p-value is 0.019). The results suggest that the I allele confers an advantage in aerobic capacity as measured by the V0 2 max and VT.

It is likely that the same physiological mechanisms mediated by the ACE gene are responsible for aerobic capacity in both Asians and Caucasians.