Influence of Collagen Gene Variants on Physical Performance of Lithuanian Elite Athletes

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Laboratorinė medicina. 2019,
t. 21,
Nr. 2,
p. 84 -
92
Introduction. The collagen gene variants are related to the phenotype of physical performance and determine the risk of injury. The aim of the study was to investigate the association of collagen genes polymorphisms (COL1A1 rs1800012, rs1107946, COL3A1, rs1800255, COL12A1 rs970547) with physical performance phenotype of Lithuanian elite athletes.
 
Materials and methods. A total of 185 elite athletes and 195 non-athletes controls from Lithuania were recruited for this study. The athletes were divided into 3 groups (endurance, sprint/power and mixed qualities). The phenotypic variables included: anthropometric and functional capacity measurements, data of injury. DNA genotyping was performed using real time polymerase chain reaction.
 
Results. COL1A1 rs1800012 CC genotype in the whole athlete group, as well as COL1A1 rs1107946 A allele and COL12A1 rs970547 T allele in sprint/power group were significantly more frequent than in controls (p<0.05). COL3A1 rs1800255 AA genotype in the control group (8.2%) was over-represented compared to athletes (2.7%). Odds ratio of COL3A1 (GG + GA_AA recessive model) in the athletes group was 0.311 (p=0.034). In the female group of sprint/power-oriented sports the COL1A1 rs1800012 C allele and COL12A1 rs970547 T allele was more frequent than in the control female group, while COL1A1 rs1107946 A allele is significantly more prevalent in the male athletes group than in the male control (p<0.05).
 
Conclusions. The phenotype of Lithuanian athletes corresponds to a skills of high elite level. COL1A1 rs1107946 A allele, COL1A1 rs1800012 A allele, COL12A1 rs970547 T allele is related to the sprint-power abilities of Lithuanian athletes. Carrying the COL3A1 AA genotype have less chance to being a professional athlete (OR = 0.311; p = 0.034). The collagen genetic variants have different effects on the physical capacity of male and female: COL1A1 rs1800012 A allele and rs1107946 A al lele significantly influences male athletes’ abilities, while COL1A1 rs1800012 C allele and COL12A1 rs970547 T allele important for female, especially for sprint and power performance.
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