The relationship between CA repeat polymorphism of the <i>IGF-1</i> gene and the structure of motor skills in young athletes

Abstract

The map of candidate genes that can potentially affect physical fitness becomes larger every year, and they are associated with such aspects as respiratory and cardiovascular stability; body build and composition - especially muscle mass and strength; carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; response to training; and exercise intolerance.The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the CA repeat polymorphism of the P1 promoter of the IGF1 gene and the structure of motor skills in the two groups of Polish young athletes in 2007-2009. In this study, 350 young sportsmen representing different sports disciplines were examined (age = 15.5 ± 0.5 years), by genotyping the IGF1 gene and determining the structure of motor skills using the International Physical Fitness Test (IPFT) battery. The multiple stepwise regression was used to determine the impact of the investigated motor skills on the indicator of the overall physical fitness, measured by the total score of the International Physical Fitness Test (IPFT). The analysis showed some regularity related to the character of the IGF1 gene polymorphism. It can be concluded that the two groups of young boys athletes practicing various sports disciplines (kinds of physical exercise) displayed similar associations between CA repeat polymorphism of the P1 promoter of the IGF1 gene and the level of motor effects. Our results suggest that this polymorphism may be a genetic marker of the physical performance phenotype. We demonstrated that CA repeat polymorphism of the P1 promoter of the IGF1 gene was associated with strength predispositions in the homozygous and non-carriers groups. In the group who were heterozygous it was speed-strength aptitudes.

Comparison of Official and Friendly Matches through Acceleration, Deceleration and Metabolic Power Measures: A Full-Season Study in Professional Soccer Players

“…Therefore, high physical conditioning levels are needed to help soccer players to achieve specific training adaptations [ 2 ]. Moreover, to produce and maintain power during successive high-intensity efforts, soccer players need a high level of aerobic fitness [ 3 ]. It has been reported that during a match, elite soccer players cover about 9.1 km, where 1.3 km of the distance is performed at high-intensity running [ 4 ].…”

Physical Performance Differences Between Starter and Non‐Starter Players During Professional Soccer Friendly Matches

“…junior, senior, amateur and professional) with an emphasis on intermittent movements including brief bouts of high‐intensity exercise and longer periods of low‐ intensity exercise (Rampinini et al, 2007a, b). Soccer players require a high level of aerobic fitness in order to generate and maintain power output during repeated high‐intensity efforts (Van Winckel et al, 2014; Holdys et al 2013; Karpowicz et al 2018). The ability to recover between bouts of high intensity activity and subsequently, repeating these efforts has been reported as a critical physical ability of modern‐ day soccer players (Gabbett and Mulvey, 2008).…”

Potential Genetic Contributions of the Central Nervous System to a Predisposition to Elite Athletic Traits: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives

“…As the BDNF genotype potentially predisposes acquisition of elite athletic traits [35,37] and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) mediates the response to exercise on BDNF and cognitive function [61], IGF-1 might be related to the inherent elite athletic status through the enhancement of motor skill acquisition. Interestingly, a study showed that CA repeat polymorphism of the IGF-1 promoter was associated with the structure of motor skills in young athletes [63]. Future studies are needed to address the roles of the IGF-1 genotypes in acquiring motor skills as well as growth hormones and their receptors, which elevate BDNF levels, as they might be novel CNS function-related contributors in predisposing toward elite athletic traits.…”