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Genes and Weightlifting Performance
Naoki Kikuchi1,2, Ethan Moreland3, Hiroki Homma1
1Graduate School of Health and Sport Science, Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo 158-8508, Japan.
Genes
|January 21, 2022
Summary
Four gene polymorphisms are linked to enhanced weightlifting performance in Russian and Japanese athletes. A polygenic approach revealed that individuals with more strength-related alleles demonstrated superior athletic results, confirming genetic associations with athletic power.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Human Genetics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Previous research identified 28 DNA polymorphisms linked to strength athlete status.
- Genotype-phenotype studies are crucial to validate initial findings on genetic associations with athletic performance.
- Understanding genetic predispositions can aid in identifying and training strength athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association of 28 genetic markers with weightlifting performance in Russian athletes.
- To examine the combined effect of these genetic markers on athletic performance.
- To replicate significant findings in an independent cohort of Japanese weightlifters.
Main Methods:
- Genomic DNA was collected from 53 elite Russian and 100 sub-elite Japanese weightlifters.
- Genotyping was performed using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or micro-array analysis.
- Statistical analyses were conducted to correlate specific alleles and polygenic scores with weightlifting performance metrics.
Main Results:
- Four DNA polymorphisms (LRPPRC rs10186876 A, MMS22L rs9320823 T, MTHFR rs1801131 C, and PHACTR1 rs6905419 C) positively correlated with weightlifting performance in Russian athletes.
- Athletes with a higher number of identified strength-related alleles (6-8) exhibited significantly better competition results compared to those with fewer alleles (0-5).
- These findings were successfully replicated in the Japanese athlete cohort, reinforcing the association between these genetic markers and weightlifting ability.
Conclusions:
- Four common gene polymorphisms, individually and in combination, are associated with weightlifting performance.
- The identified genetic markers are relevant across different ethnic groups, specifically East European and East Asian populations.
- This study provides a genetic basis for understanding the predisposition to elite weightlifting performance.
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