AUTHOR=Yang Shidong , Lin Wentao , Jia Mengmeng , Chen Haichun 

TITLE=Association between ACTN3 R577x and the physical performance of Chinese 13 to 15-year-old elite and sub-elite football players at different positions

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2023.1038075

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2023.1038075

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of <italic>ACTN3</italic> polymorphisms in Chinese elite and sub-elite football players aged 13–15 years at different positions. Specifically we explored whether <italic>ACTN3</italic> genotypes were linked with athletic performance of elite and sub-elite players at different positions. The RR genotype frequency of elite defenders (<italic>p</italic> = 0.018) and midfielders (<italic>p</italic> = 0.008) was significantly higher than that of sub-elite XX genotype in elite players. Furthermore, the R allele frequency of elite defenders (<italic>p</italic> = 0.003) and midfielders (<italic>p</italic> = 0.008) was significantly higher than that of sub-elite players. In all subjects, RR players performed faster and exhibited more explosive power than RX or XX players. RR, RX and XX elite players’ 20 m/30 m sprint, 5 × 25-m repeated sprint ability (5 × 25 m RSA), and standing long jump were stronger than sub-elite players, but there was no significant different in aerobic endurance between elite and sub-elite players at different positions. In conclusion, there were significant differences in <italic>ACTN3</italic> genotypes and alleles between elite and sub-elite players at different positions, and the RR genotype was significantly associated with power-related athletic performance in Chinese youth football players.</p>