The investigation of angiotensin converting enzyme and skeletal muscle gene alpha-actinin 3 gene polymorphism in elite athletes

There has been much recent proof indicating that certain genetic traits affect athletic performance. In this study, distribution of ACE (I/D) and ACTN3 (R577X) genetic polymorphisms, which are among those genetic markers, and the frequency of these polymorphisms in elite athletes and the possibility of determining athletic performance with genetic traits were investigated The participants of the study were 100 elite national and international short and long distance athletes, and 100 healthy sedentary control subjects chosen randomly. No statistically significant results were observed in distribution of ACE and ACTN3 gene polymorphism and allele distributions. Statistically significant differences were observed in ACE gene polymorphism allele distribution between national and international experimental groups and the control groups. Similar differences were observed in genotype and allele (ACE) distribution when groups of sexes were compared. ACE gene polymorphism allele distribution was more deterministic in international female athletes. There were statistically significant differences between groups of male and female long distance athletes and between national and international short distance athletes in terms of ACE gene polymorphism allele distribution. Though few studies were conducted on effect of ACE gene polymorphism on Turkish athletes' performance, ACTN3 gene polymorphism was never studied. This pioneering study on Turkish elite athletes can contribute to literature. Statistical power of the results could be strengthened by data sharing from studies on various groups including Olympic athletes. Keywords: ACE, ACTN3, Athletics, Elite Athletes, Genetics