The effect of PPARGC1A, PPARA and PPARG genetic variants on the physical capacity of elite Lithuanian athletes
Valentina Ginevičienė1,2, Audronė Jakaitienė1, Jūratė Kasnauskienė1, Kazys Milašius3, Vaidutis Kučinskas1
Background. Physical performance is a quantitative multifactorial heritage trait, whose phenotypical expression is influenced by both multiple genes and environmental factors. Human adaptation to physical load is the result of many gene activities. A very important role play genes-regulators - PPARGC1A, PPAR, PPARG involved in energy metabolism, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. This research aims to analyse the effect of PPARGC1A G/A, PPARA G/C, PPARG C/G gene polymorphisms on physical capacities of Lithuanian elite athletes.
Materials and methods. The study involved 193 Lithuanian elite athletes and 250 healthy unrelated citizens. The athletes were grouped according to the sports achievements (elite, sub-elite and nonelite) and types of sport (endurance, speed strength and aerobic/anaerobic capacity). The main phys i cal de vel op ments of phenotypic and functional capacity variables were measured.
Results. No significant PPARGC1 and PPARG SNP allele/genotype frequency differences were found between the athlete group and the controls although PPAR G/C genotype differed significantly. The maximum anaerobic work capacity values were observed for the speed/power group representatives. The endurance athletes characterized by taller cardiovascular variables associated with aerobic working capacity, than speed/power athletes. From linear regression results, the PPARGC1 AA positively rel ated to athletes’ handgrip strength, as PPARA CC and PPARG CG affected single muscular contraction power.
Conclusion. The PPARGC1A G allele is rel ated to the endurance, as the C allele is related to the speed/power sports. PPAR G/G, PPARG C/C genotype may not be critical but rather additive to endurance performance. The effect of the gene variants is difierent for male and female athletes.
Keywords: physical performance, PPARGC1A, PPARA, PPARG, genetic vari ants.