Summary
Introduction. The mitochondrial transcription factor A (encoded by the TFAM gene) is a mitochondrial DNA binding protein essential for mitochondrial biogenesis. TFAM can be considered as a gene candidate to explain individual differences in physical perfor mance. However, due to the lack of studies that could summarise the data from existing studies on TFAM, the aim of the study was to perform a systematic literature review and determine which TFAM gene polymorphisms are associated with elite sports performance.
Material and methods. The systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. The systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Sci ence, Google Scholar and ECU databases, using a combination of the keywords. The study in cluded 4 published articles, selected according to the listed inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results. The research was conducted by scientists from Russia, Poland and China and analyzed TFAM rs1937 (c.35G>C, p.Ser12Thr), rs2306604 (c.441+113A>G) and rs16912201 (c.*1852A>G) poly morphisms in endurance, sprint/power and mixed (aerobic-anaerobic) sports groups athletes. A systematic review has shown that TFAM polymorphisms are associated with elite athlete status: a higher prevalence of the TFAM rs1937 C al lele is associated with endurance athletes status; TFAM rs2306604 A al lele with endurance athletes status in Chinese cohort group, and sprint/power group athletes status in Polish athletes population. The TFAM rs16912201 (c.*1852A>G) polymorphism showed no significant results.
Conclusions. A systematic literature review showed that TFAM polymorphisms have an impact on physical performance of elite athletes. The TFAM rs1937 (c.35G>C) C al lele and rs2306604 (c.441+113A>G) A al lele are related to ath letic performance in high performance athlete groups.
