Evaluation of Association between PPARGC1A Gene Polymorphism and Competitive Performance of Elite Athletes

Limited number of researches exist on the relationship between PPARGC1A gene polymorphism (rs8192678) and affects the athletic performance. Thus, the present study aims to decipher any possible association of the rs8192678 polymorphism in the PPARGC1A gene with the competitive performances of Turkish elite track and field athletes. A total of 60 elite athletes (31 sprint/power and 29 endurance) and 20 control/sedentary with the ages of 18-35 voluntarily participated in the study. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) score scale was used to determine the performance levels of the personal best (PB) of the athletes. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed by the genomic DNA sample isolated from blood of the participants. The association between rs8192678 polymorphism and PB was examined by one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with the adjustment of sex and sport experience. According to the results, there were not any significant deviation between the wild-type (G/G), heterozygote (G/A) and homozygote (A/A) genotypes within and between the groups (p>0.05). Our results underlined that there were not any significances for association of rs8192678 polymorphism with PBs within the groups of the sprint/power and endurance athletes. However, it is recommended that similar studies be conducted with more participants to provide clearer information about the research.