PPARD CC and ACTN3 RR Genotype Prevalence among Elite Soccer Players

Aims: Soccer is a complex sport in which players are required to perform a variety of aerobic and anaerobic activities. The purpose of the study was to explore aerobic (PPARD CC) and anaerobic (ACTN3 RR) performance-related genotype frequencies among young soccer players and compare them to those of sprinters/jumpers (S/J), long distance runners (LDR) and controls.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from buccal epithelial cells of 170 national level athletes (60 soccer players, 51 S/J, 59 LDR) and 51 non-athletic controls. Genotypes were determined using Taqman allelic discrimination assay.

Results: Soccer players had non-significant lower frequency (15%) of the PPARD 294CC genotype compared to LDR (19%), but higher compared to S/J (10%). ACTN3 R577X genotype and allele frequencies of soccer players (28%) were not significantly different from those of S/J (39%) and LDR athletes (20%).

Conclusions: Soccer players do not have a noticeable or clear genotype tendency compared to S/J and LDR. This may suggest that soccer players rely more on diverse physiological qualities as well as other factors that are required in the game, rather than on a single physiological attribute. It should be also noted that the different physiological demands for diverse positional roles in soccer may contribute to the results’ heterogeneity.