Actinin 3 Genotypes and Altitude Training

Certain genotypes determine adaptation to certain exercise and can be used to monitor adaptability to training. PURPOSE : To gauze cardiovascular response by using oxygen saturation and heart rate change to determine adaptation to altitude training in athletes with 577RR/577RX and the 577XX genotypes. METHODS: Athletes who were previously genotyped for the actinin 3 genes were recruited for the study. Forty athletes consented to participate and were divided in two groups. One group participated primarily in running events of distance > 1000m (group M,n=5) and the other participated in running events ≤ 400m (Group S,n=35). Each group was subjected to running up a steep slope of 5000M twice weekly for 12 weeks. Oxygen saturation was recorded using a pulse oximeter for each participant before the start of 12 weeks and each four weeks up to 12 weeks. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before the start of the 12 week trail and each 4 weeks up to 12 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty five athletes had the 577RR or the weaker 577RX variant of the actinin 3 gene. Five had the 577XX genotype. Those with the 577RR and 577RX genotypes had no significant increase in their Sp02 values over 12 weeks (P=0.1). Their heart rate and blood pressure did not significantly decrease over 12 weeks (p>0.5). Group M athletes had significant increase in Spo2 values , heart rate and pulse rate also significantly decreased over 12 weeks (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Those with the 577XX genotype adapted better to altitude training than those with the 577RR and 577RX genotypes