November 1, 2007Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
The ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism in East and West African Athletes
Key result
The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism (alpha-actinin-3 deficiency) is not a major influence on endurance or sprint performance in African athletes.
Why the study?
Does the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism influence the success of elite African athletes?
Population
838 individuals including 198 Ethiopian controls, 76 elite Ethiopian endurance athletes, 158 Kenyan…
Comparison
Elite athletic status (endurance or power/sprint) vs Non-athlete controls from the same populations
Design
Case-control
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
ACTN3 R577X frequencies in elite African athletes may differ by discipline; leaves open any causal influence on performance.
Study Design
Type
Case-Control (n=838)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
Does the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism influence the success of elite African athletes?
P
Population
838 elite African athletes and controls from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria genotyped to assess the influence of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism on athletic performance.
E
Exposure
Elite athletic status (endurance or power/sprint)
C
Comparator
Non-athlete controls from the same populations
O
Outcome
Frequency of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism (functional R allele and nonfunctional X allele)surrogate
Alpha-actinin-3 deficiency (ACTN3 R577X polymorphism) does not appear to be a major genetic factor influencing the performance of elite African endurance or power athletes.
Limitations
- The low baseline frequencies of the X allele in the tested populations mean that any associations with sprint performance would likely be obscured.
- Low baseline frequencies of the X allele in the tested populations may obscure associations with sprint performance
Cite This Study
Yang et al. (2007) conducted a case-control in Elite athletic performance (n=838). ACTN3 R577X polymorphism vs. Controls was evaluated on Frequency of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism. The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism (alpha-actinin-3 deficiency) is not a major influence on endurance or sprint performance in African athletes.