Investigation of ACTN3 and BDNF gene polymorphisms in elite athletes

The purpose of the study is to investigate the genotype distribution and performance levels according to genotypes of BDNF and ACTN3 gene polymorphism, which are thought to be affecting the athletic performance of elite athletes. A total of 64 elite athletes, 33 women and 31 men, between the ages of 18-32, voluntarily participated in the study. The athletes participating in the study were divided into four groups. The first group consisted of short distance, throwing and jumping athletes (n = 17), the second group of middle distance athletes (n = 15), the third group of long distance athletes (n = 13), and the fourth group of walking athletes (n = 19). The groups were informed about the research before the measurement, voluntary consent form and demographic information form were applied. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) score scale was used to determine the performance levels of the personal best record (PB) participants. Mouth swab samples were taken for gene polymorphism measurements of the participants, and genotyping was performed by the real-time PCR method. Using the SPSS 25 program in the analysis of the data, the significance level was determined as p <0.05. X2 test analysis method was used to compare both genotype and allele frequencies of athletes between groups. According to the research findings, although there was no difference between the ACTN3 polymorphism groups, the RR genotype in the speed/throw/jump group, the RX genotype in the middle distance group, the XX genotype in the long distance group, and the RR genotype in the walking group were found to be high. In the ACTN3 allele distribution, the R allele in the short distance/throw/jump group, the R allele in the middle distance group, the X allele in the long distance branch, and the R allele in the walking group were higher. When the PB scores were examined according to the ACTN3 genotype distribution, it was found that the athletes had the highest distribution with the RR genotype in the speed / throw / jump group, the RR genotype in the middle distance group, the RR genotype in the long distance group, and the XX genotype in the walking group with the average PB score. When both the genotype and allele distributions were examined in the BDNF polymorphism, although no statistically significant difference was detected between the groups, it was observed that the GG genotype distribution rate was the highest in all groups. AA genotype carriers were not found. When the BDNF polymorphism genotypes and PB score values were examined, it was found that the PB average of GG genotype athletes in all groups had the highest rate. In line with the findings obtained as a result, it can be said that ACTN3 and BDNF gene polymorphisms are effective in aerobic or anaerobic sportive success, but the effects of these polymorphisms on performance development level are controversial.