The relationships between ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X genetic polymorphisms and the response to short-term high-altitude exercise training

Evidence strongly shows that ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X genetic polymorphisms are closely related to outstanding exercise performance. This study explored the relationships between the two polymorphisms and the response to short-term high-altitude exercise training. 49 young Han nationality male subjects who were newcomers to high-altitude were selected. At 3200-m high-altitude, the subjects were trained for 4 weeks, and 30-m × 2 snake run, pull-up, sit-up and 3000-m run were tested before and after training. ACE gene was grouped by II and ID + DD genotypes, and ACTN3 gene was grouped by RR and RX + XX genotypes. Results showed that the performances of ACE ID + DD groups were both slight lower than II groups in pull-up and sit-up before training, while no differences after adjusting for covariates (age, body mass index and pre-training baseline) after training. No differences existed between the groups in 30-m × 2 snake run and 3000-m run, whether before training or after training. No ACE gene × training interactions were found in all exercise indicators. For ACTN3 gene, no significances were observed. Results suggest that ACE I/D polymorphism maybe have slight effect on the response to short-term high-altitude strength training. The discussion on the results implies that enough training duration and intensity are probably important in achieving significant gene × training interaction, and there may be the difference of gender in the interaction for ACTN3 gene.