Key result
ACTN3 allele distribution differed significantly among 43 elite professional football players based on their field position (p=0.035).
Why the study?
Football involves intermittent high-intensity efforts varying by field position, prompting investigation into whether ACTN3 gene polymorphisms associate with different playing positions in elite professional players.
Is the ACTN3 gene polymorphism associated with different playing positions in elite professional football players?
Cross-Sectional (n=43)
No
Is the ACTN3 gene polymorphism associated with different playing positions in elite professional football players?
The ACTN3 gene polymorphism allele distribution differs significantly among elite professional football players based on their field position, suggesting a potential role for genetic profiling in position orientation.
ACTN3 allele differences by position are hypothesis-generating; larger prospective studies needed before any role in player selection.
Introduction: Football is characterised by intermittent high-intensity efforts varying according to the field position of a player. We aimed to ascertain whether polymorphisms in the ACTN3 gene are associated with different playing positions in elite professional football players. Subjects and Methods: Genotyping of the ACTN3 gene was conducted in 43 elite professional football players of a single team. Playing position was recorded based on the player’s most frequent position. Results: The genotype distribution was not significant between positions (p = 0.057), while the allele distribution differed significantly (p = 0.035). Goalkeepers (p = 0.04, p = 0.03), central defenders (p = 0.03, p = 0.01), and central midfielders (p = 0.01, p = 0.00) had a significantly different allele distribution compared with wide midfielders and forward players. Conclusions: Genetic biomarkers may be important when analysing performance capability in elite professional football. Identifying the genetic characteristics of a player to adapt his playing position may lead to orientation of positions based on physical capabilities and tissue quality in young football players, and also to performance enhancement in those who are already playing in professional teams.
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Clos et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Elite professional football players (n=43). ACTN3 R577X polymorphism vs. Different playing positions was evaluated on Allele distribution across playing positions (p=0.035). ACTN3 allele distribution differed significantly among 43 elite professional football players based on their field position (p=0.035).
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