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Abstract
Background and aim: To identify the distribution and explore the relationship between ACTN3 genotypes and power and body composition phenotypes.
Subjects and methods: Case control and association studies were employed using a homogeneous group of players (n = 102) and a control group (n = 110). Power-related phenotypes were measured using the counter movement jump (CMJ) and body composition phenotypes by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Statistics used were Pearson's chi-square, ANCOVA, coefficients of correlation and independent t-tests. Genotyping was carried out using polymerase chain reaction followed by enzymatic Ddel digestion.
Results: Genotype proportions of players were compared with controls (p = 0.07). No significant genotype differences occurred between forwards or backs (p = 0.822) or within-forwards (p = 0.882) or within-backs (p = 0.07). Relative force and velocity were significantly larger in backs, power significantly greater in forwards; in body composition, all phenotypes were significantly greater in forwards than backs. Correlations between phenotypes were greater for the RX genotype (p = 0.05–0.01).
Conclusions: Relationships between ACTN3 genotypes and power or body composition-related phenotypes were not significant. As fat increased, power-related phenotypes decreased. As body composition increased, power-related phenotypes increased.
Acknowledgement
This study has been carried out with the support of the Cardiff Metropolitan University, the Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University, and the Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.