Frequency of the MSTN Lys(K)-153Arg(R) polymorphism among track & field athletes and swimmers. Issue 4 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ben-Zaken, Sigal; Meckel, Yoav; Nemet, Dan; Rabinovich, Moran; Kassem, Eias; Eliakim, Alon
• Is Part Of: Growth hormone & IGF research. Volume 25:Issue 4(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Growth regulators -- Periodicals; Growth -- Regulation -- Periodicals; Somatomedin -- Periodicals; Somatomedins -- Periodicals; Growth Hormone -- Periodicals; Growth Substances -- Periodicals; Croissance -- Régulation -- Périodiques; Croissance -- Régulateurs -- Périodiques; Somatotrophine -- Périodiques; Somatomédine -- Périodiques; Growth -- Regulation; Growth regulators; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2015.04.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1096-6374

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="ab0015"> <title id="st0065">Abstract</title> <sec> <p id="sp0135">The myostatin (<italic>MSTN</italic>) Lys(K)-153Arg(R) polymorphism may influence skeletal muscle phenotypes. Carrying the rare R allele was associated with greater muscle mass.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0105">Purpose</title> <p id="sp0140">The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of the MSTN Lys(K)-153Arg(R) polymorphism among Israeli track and field athletes (n = 185) and swimmers (n = 80).</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0070">Methods</title> <p id="sp0145">Track and field athletes were divided into long distance runners (major event 5000 m-marathon, n = 113) and power athletes (major event 100200 m sprints and long jump, n = 72). Swimmers were divided into long-distance swimmers (major event: 800–1500 m, n = 38), and short-distance swimmers (major event: 50–100 m, n = 42). The control group included 118 non-athletes healthy participants.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0075">Results</title> <p id="sp0150">Twenty-seven track and field athletes (14.6%) and 7 swimmers (8.8%) were carriers of the rare <italic>MSTN</italic> R allele, and only two carried the 153RR genotype (0.8%). <italic>MSTN</italic> 153R allele frequency was significantly higher in top-compared to national-level among long-distance runners (26% versus 8%, p < 0.05), short distance runners (16% versus 9%, p < 0.05), and all runners combined (20% versus 8%, p < 0.05), but not in top- compared to national-level swimmers. The frequency of arginine carriers was significantly greater among long compared to short-distance swimmers (16% versus 2%, p < 0.03).</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0080">Conclusion</title> <p id="sp0155">In contrast to elite endurance and power track and field athletes, the <italic>MSTN</italic> 153RR genotype was not found in short distance-swimmers, and among the long distance-swimmers it was not associated with top level swimming performance. Whether evaluation of the <italic>MSTN</italic> K153R polymorphism can be used for sports selection in young athletes needs to be further studied.</p> </sec> </abstract>