Why the study?
Do genetic factors like ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms determine elite athlete status?
Do genetic factors like ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms determine elite athlete status?
While specific genetic variants like ACTN3 R577X are associated with power sports, elite athletic status is a complex trait heavily influenced by environmental factors beyond genetics.
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Genetic testing for variants like ACTN3 should not guide athlete selection; leaves open the dominant environmental contributions to polygenic champion status.
Recent research has analyzed the genetic factors that influence world-class athletic status. Much of what we know comes from association studies, with the ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms having been extensively studied. The association between the ACTN3 R577X variation and elite athlete status in power sports is strongly documented, yet whether the current body of knowledge on other variants can be extrapolated to athletic champion status remains to be determined. Athletic champion status is a complex polygenic trait in which numerous candidate genes, complex gene-gene interactions, and environment-gene interactions are involved. Besides the need for more studies and new approaches taking into account the complexity of the problem, we believe that factors beyond genetic endowment are likely to have a stronger influence in the attainment of athletic champion status.
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Lucía et al. (2010) studied this question.
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