The investigation of the relationship between ACTN3 gene polymorphism and athletic performance in elite wrestlers

Handgrip strength (HGS) is considered one of the fundamental components of physical fitness and is widely used in both clinical applications and sports performance evaluations. However, studies investigating the relationship between HGS and genetic variations are limited. In this context, the aim of the present study is to explore the potential relationship between ACTN3 gene polymorphism (rs1815739) and HGS in elite-level wrestlers. The present study included 57 elite male wrestlers aged between 18 and 35 years. Participants' HGS was measured using a digital hand dynamometer. For genetic analysis, genomic DNA was isolated from oral epithelial cells using the Invitrogen DNA Isolation Kit, and genotyping was performed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. The findings revealed that wrestlers with the CT genotype had higher average HGS values compared to those with the CC and TT genotypes. However, these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that there is no significant association between the ACTN3 rs1815739 gene polymorphism and HGS. However, the higher average values observed in athletes with the CT genotype suggest a potential area for future research with larger sample sizes.