Abstract:The aim of the study was to investigate ACTN3 (α-actinin-3) and AMPD1 (adenosine monophosphate deaminase) polymorphism and genotype combinations in Bulgarian athletes competing in various sports and the relation to peak power output. A mixed group of athletes (n = 52) competing at national and international level and a matching genetic control group (n = 109) of volunteers were recruited. Participants were genotyped for ACTN3 and AMPD1 by polymerase chain reaction. There were no significant differences in ACTN3 genotype distribution between athletes performing Wingate test (38% RR, 46% RX, 16% XX) and controls (41.2% RR, 46% RX, 12.8% XX). AMPD1 distribution was (73% CC, 27% CT, 0% TT) and in controls (73.2% CC, 25% CT, 1.8% TT). Athletes performing Wingate test showed equal 33% frequency of RR/CC and RX/CC combination, and 12% RX/CT. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) peak power output (11.10 W kg -1 ) was found in athletes with RX/CT combination compared to other combinations (range: 8.83-9.71 W kg -1 ) and in R-power (RR + RX) and C-power (CC + CT) dominant models (9.91 W kg -1 ). Mean power was higher (P < 0.05) in RX/CT combination (8.93 W kg -1 ) compared to RR/CC (7.75 W kg -1 ) and RR/CT (7.95 W kg -1 ). In conclusion, the low frequency of T AMPD1 allele in Bulgarian athletes might indicate that this mutant allele is related to the physical performance. The prevalence of R ACTN3 and C AMPD1 alleles suggests that they could contribute to anaerobic performance. Higher peak power in Wingate test is associated with RX/CT genotype combination and R-and C-power dominant models.

ance (60-second sit-ups and 2 minutes push ups), explosive leg power (vertical jump), agility (T-test), aerobic power (20 m bleep test) converted to maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max) were measured. Data were analysed with t-test for independent samples and Z-score individual radar plot statistics for each athlete. Results: There was no significant difference in agility between juniors (10.9 ±0.4s) and seniors (12.6 ± 1.2s) (p>0.05). The seniors showed significant (p<0.05) higher values in sit ups (

sit-ups and 2minutes push ups), explosive leg power (vertical jump), agility (t-test), aerobic power (20 m bleep test) converted to maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max) were measured. Data were analysed using t-test for independent samples and Z-score individual radar plots statistics for each athlete. Results: There was no significant difference in agility between juniors (10.9 ±0.4s) and seniors (12.6 ± 1.2s) (p>0.05). The seniors showed significant of (p<0.05) higher values in sit ups (

rugby, soccer cricket and netball are very popular sports. In 2017, it was estimated that there were 9.1 million players among the world rugby union members in 121 countries. Among these, 2.4 million were female players and 603 455 of these were from ABSTRACT Sports is a large industry with vibrant leagues running in many countries. Some of the most popular sports are soccer, rugby, cricket and netball. To meet the demand for better performance of athletes and sustain this growing industry, coaches and trainers have depended on the manip ulation of factors such as physical and physiological parameters, nutrition, tactics, techniques and psychological factors to try and improve the performance of athletes. These have been referred to as the environmental or nurture constraints. The quest for better performance contin ues hence microtechnology such as accelerometers, heart rate monitors and global positioning systems are also being used to gather data to determine some of the physical and physiological demands of games. Evidence from studies with twins revealed that there are performance traits which are genetically determined. Research also shows that more than 60% of performance in sport and exercise is genetically determined. The unraveling of the human genome and advances in molecular biological studies resulted in the quest for knowledge relating to the influence of genes at the molecular level on performance in exercise and sport. The human genome project established approximately 20 000 genes in humans. To date, the gene map for performance and health-related fitness phenotypes has identified more than 200 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with some performance and fitness linked traits. Among the most studied gene polymorphisms are the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, the human α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene and the adenosine monophosphate deaminase (AMPD1) gene, as they relate mostly to anerobic and aerobic related activities. The use of hematological and biochemical indicators to identify injuries and exercise stress calls for exploration of association between gene polymorphisms and indicators such as C-reactive protein, uric acid and blood parameters such as red blood cells and sub-components of leukocytes.

Exercise is known to cause considerable changes in leucocyte counts and functions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of exercise on leukocyte counts in athletes of different sporting codes during the competition time of the season. Forty-two university athletes voluntarily participated in the study, rugby players, male soccer players, female soccer players and female netball players. Blood samples were collected and analysis for whole blood count was done in Lancet laboratory, Richards Bay, RSA. Data were analyzed using unpaired t-test for treatment independent samples.