Interindividual Variation in Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Candidate Gene Study in Han Chinese People

A systematic review of nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

In this recent publication review the authors aimed to collect evidence of impact of nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNP) in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on patients' phenotype not only regarding arterial hypertension and its complications, but also the impact on other diseases of interest outside the field of cardiovascular medicine. PubMed database records published between 2017-2020 were searched and all positive case-control studies or positive studies with human DNA were selected. The search identified 104 articles, of which 22 were included on the basis of the inclusion criteria. This paper presents the impact of 44 nsSNPs in panels for genes of renin, angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensin receptor and aldosterone on the clinical picture of investigated cohorts or on the peptide-protein interactions as consequence of nsSNPs. Genetic variability in nsSNPs of the RAAS is involved in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension and its complications, and surprisingly also in the pathogenesis of conditions not associated with elevated blood pressure, like neoplasms or inflammatory diseases.

Genetic profiles to identify talents in elite endurance athletes and professional football players

The genetic profile that is needed to identify talents has been studied extensively in recent years. The main objective of this investigation was to approach, for the first time, the study of genetic variants in several polygenic profiles and their role in elite endurance and professional football performance by comparing the allelic and genotypic frequencies to the non-athlete population. In this study, genotypic and allelic frequencies were determined in 452 subjects: 292 professional athletes (160 elite endurance athletes and 132 professional football players) and 160 non-athlete subjects. Genotyping of polymorphisms in liver metabolisers (CYP2D6, GSTM1, GSTP and GSTT), iron metabolism and energy efficiency (HFE, AMPD1 and PGC1a), cardiorespiratory fitness (ACE, NOS3, ADRA2A, ADRB2 and BDKRB2) and muscle injuries (ACE, ACTN3, AMPD1, CKM and MLCK) was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Single Nucleotide Primer Extension (PCR-SNPE). The combination of the polymorphisms for the “optimal” polygenic profile was quantified using the genotype score (GS) and total genotype score (TGS). Statistical differences were found in the genetic distributions between professional athletes and the non-athlete population in liver metabolism, iron metabolism and energy efficiency, and muscle injuries (p<0.001). The binary logistic regression model showed a favourable OR (odds ratio) of being a professional athlete against a non-athlete in liver metabolism (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.28–3.01; p = 0.002), iron metabolism and energy efficiency (OR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.42–3.43; p < 0.001), and muscle injuries (OR: 2.70; 95% CI: 1.75–4.16; p < 0.001) in the polymorphisms studied. Genetic distribution in professional athletes as regards endurance (professional cyclists and elite runners) and professional football players shows genetic selection in these sports disciplines.

Inter-Individual Variability of a High-Intensity Interval Training With Specific Techniques vs. Repeated Sprints Program in Sport-Related Fitness of Taekwondo Athletes

This study investigated the effect of 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with specific techniques (TS-G) vs. repeated sprints (RS-G) and analyzed the inter-individual variability [classified into responders (Rs) and non-responders (NRs)] on sport-related fitness in taekwondo (TKD) athletes. Athletes of both genders (n = 12) were randomly assigned into TS-G and RS-G groups. Both groups trained 3 days/week for 4 weeks [two blocks of three rounds of 2 min of activity (4-s of all-out efforts with 28-s dynamical pauses) with 1 min of recovery in between and 5 min between blocks] during their regular training. The related sport fitness assessments included squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), multiple frequency speed of kick test (FSKT_MULT), specifically total kicks and Kick Decrement Index (KDI), and 20-m shuttle run (20MSR). Relevant results indicate a significant effect of the time factor in both groups for SJ performance and a significant decrease for KDI in RS-G. In addition, an improvement in performance according to the effect size analysis in the TS-G in total kicks, KDI, and 20MSR. Complementarily, a higher proportion of athlete Rs was reported in TS-G vs. RS-G for SJ (50% vs. 30.3%, respectively), CMJ, and total kicks (16.6% vs. 0%). In conclusion, the addition to the regular training of a HIIT with specific-techniques and repeated-sprints associated with intervals and similar structure of the combat during 4 weeks of training can improve the concentric characteristics of lower limb performance, although they were not the sufficient stimuli in the other components of TKD-related fitness.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training With Specific Techniques on Jumping Ability and Change of Direction Speed in Karate Athletes: An Inter-individual Analysis

This study investigated the effect of 4weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with specific techniques and analyzed inter-individual variability [classified in responders (Rs) and non-responders (NRs)] on jumping ability and change of direction speed (CODS) in youth karate athletes. Athletes of both genders (n=10) were randomly assigned into experimental group (EG; n=5) and the control group (CG; n=5). The EG trained 2-3days per week applying HIIT (three rounds [15 sets of 4s all-out specific efforts with 8s of dynamical pauses] with 3min of recovery between rounds) during their usual training during 4weeks. Assessments included squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) and CODS by T-test. No significant interaction effect group by time was found. Although, in percentage and effect size (ES) terms increases were reported in both groups for SJ (EG: 15.2%, ES=0.91 vs. CG: 12.4%, ES=0.02) and only in EG for the T-test (-1.7%; ES=-0.35). In turn, a trend toward a higher proportion of Rs was observed in the EG (40% Rs) vs. CG (20% Rs) for SJ and CODS, respectively. In conclusion, the addition to regular training of a HIIT with specific techniques and based on the temporal combat structure after 4weeks was not a sufficient stimulus to increase jumping ability and CODS in karate athletes.

Understanding the Relationship between Intrinsic Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Serum and Skeletal Muscle Metabolomics Profile

Intrinsic cardiorespiratory fitness (iCRF) indicates the CRF level in the sedentary state. However, even among sedentary individuals, a wide interindividual variability is observed in the iCRF levels, whose associated molecular characteristics are little understood. This study aimed to investigate whether serum and skeletal muscle metabolomics profiles are associated with iCRF, measured by maximal power output (MPO). Seventy sedentary young adults were submitted to venous blood sampling, a biopsy of the vastus lateralis muscle and iCRF assessment. Blood serum and muscle tissue samples were analyzed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy. Metabolites related to iCRF were those supported by three levels of evidence: (1) correlation with iCRF, (2) significant difference between individuals with low and high iCRF, and (3) metabolite contribution to significant pathways associated with iCRF. From 43 serum and 70 skeletal muscle analyzed metabolites, iCRF was positively associated with levels of betaine, threonine, proline, ornithine, and glutamine in serum and lactate, fumarate, NADP+, and formate in skeletal muscle. Serum betaine and ornithine and skeletal muscle lactate metabolites explained 31.2 and 16.8%, respectively, of the iCRF variability in addition to body mass. The results suggest that iCRF in young adults is positively associated with serum and skeletal muscle metabolic levels, indicative of the amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism.

Association of mitochondrial DNA haplogroups J and K with low response in exercise training among Finnish military conscripts

Background

We have previously suggested that some of the mutations defining mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups J and K produce an uncoupling effect on oxidative phosphorylation and thus are detrimental for elite endurance performance. Here, the association between haplogroups J and K and physical performance was determined in a population-based cohort of 1036 Finnish military conscripts.

Results

Following a standard-dose training period, excellence in endurance performance was less frequent among subjects with haplogroups J or K than among subjects with non-JK haplogroups (p = 0.041), and this finding was more apparent among the best-performing subjects (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

These results suggest that mtDNA haplogroups are one of the genetic determinants explaining individual variability in the adaptive response to endurance training, and mtDNA haplogroups J and K are markers of low-responders in exercise training.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07383-x.