Association of a PPARD polymorphism with human physical performance

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARdelta) regulates expression of genes involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. To examine the association of a functional +294T/C polymorphism of PPARD gene with human physical performance, we have studied the distribution of PPARD alleles and genotypes in a cohort of athletes (n=1256; stratified by specialty and skill level) and controls (n=610). We found that the frequency of PPARD C allele (with higher transcriptional activity compared to T allele) in a group of endurance-oriented athletes (n=898) is significantly higher than in controls (18.3% vs. 12.1%; p < 0.0001). Moreover, in the group of endurance-oriented athletes with cyclic activity we revealed an increasing frequency of PPARD C allele with the rising of athletes' skill level. Thus, PPARD C allele is associated with predisposition to endurance performance.