Comparison of ACE gene single nucleotide polymorphism (rs4646994) profile in Iranian elite karate-kas and weightlifters

The search to identify genetic differences affecting athletic performance has become a challenge recently. Iranian weightlifters and karate-kas are the champions of Olympics. Therefore, the aim of study was the comparison of ACE gene single nucleotide polymorphism (rs4646994) profile in Iranian elite karate-kas and weightlifters.

The current analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on elite weightlifters (30 people), karateka (47 people) and non-athletes (43 people). After completing the demographic form and checking the health condition and signing the written consent form by the participants, 5 ml of saliva samples were collected from the participants. ACE genotypes were determined using PCR technique and electrophoresis on 1% agarose gel. The data analyses were done with statistical tests of one-way analysis of variance and Chi-square. In all comparisons, a significance level was considered less than 0.05.

The results of our study showed that the percentage of prevalence of D allele in the groups of weightlifters, karate practitioners and non-athletes is 58.3, 73.4 and 65.1, respectively. It was also found that the ID genotype was significantly more common in the elite weightlifting and non-athlete groups and the DD genotype was significantly more common in the elite karate group (P>0.05). In the comparison between karate and weightlifting groups, it was also found that there is a significant difference in the distribution of genotypes (χ2 = 7.471, P = 0.024).

In the study of ACE I / D gene, ID genotype was the most common in the weightlifting group and DD genotype was the most common in the karate group, which is probably a helpful result for those interested in sports talent to choose and participate in one of these two disciplines.