The relationships between ACTN3 rs1815739 and PPARA-α rs4253778 gene polymorphisms and physical performance characteristics in professional soccer players

It is thought that genetic and epigenetic characteristics as well as environmental and psychological factors have a great impact on the rate of athletic performance development. Current research on athletic performance focuses on genetic variants that contribute significantly to individuals' performance in this context, the presented research is to examine the relationships between the ACTN3 rs1815739 and PPARA-α rs4253778 gene polymorphisms and physical performance characteristics. Twenty-two soccer players with the ages of 18-35 voluntarily participated in the study. Genomic DNA was isolated from oral epithelial cells using the Invitrogen DNA isolation kit (Invitrogen, USA) according to the manufacturers’ protocol. Genotyping was performed with real-time PCR. Wilcoxon analysis method was used to examine the pre-test and post-test performance differences of football players. When the results of the football players according to the ACTN3 genotype variable are examined. Although no statistically significant difference was found in the SJ, 30m, CMJ, and DJ performance tests (p>0.05), it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in the YOYO IRT 2 and 1RM test results. (YOYO IRT 2: CC, CT and TT p =.028, .042, .008; 1RM: CC, CT, and TT p=.018, .042, 0.05, respectively). When the results are analyzed according to the PPARA-α genotype variable. No statistically significant difference was found in the SJ, 30m, CMJ, and DJ performance tests (p>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference in the YOYO IRT 2 and 1RM test results (YOYO IRT 2: CC p=.001; 1RM CC p=.001). The present study indicated that significant improvements in YOYO INT 2 and 1RM test findings observed in almost all gene variants. Moreover, it has been shown that these test methods used in our study may be alternative tests that can be used primarily within the framework of individual performance determination criteria in team sports. Still, further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism underlying the association between these polymorphisms and athletic performance.