Marcin Siewierski

Mitochondrial DNA variation is associated with elite athletic status in the Polish population

There is mounting evidence that genetic factors located in mitochondrial and nuclear genomes influence sport performance. Certain mitochondrial haplogroups and polymorphisms were associated with the status of elite athlete, especially in endurance performance. The aim of our study was to assess whether selected mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA variants are associated with elite athlete performance in a group of 395 elite Polish athletes (213 endurance athletes and 182 power athletes) and 413 sedentary controls. Our major finding was that the mtDNA haplogroup H and HV cluster influence endurance performance at the Olympic/World Class level of performance (P = 0.018 and P = 0.0185, respectively). We showed that two polymorphisms located in the mtDNA control region were associated with achieving the elite performance level either in the total athletes group as compared with controls (m.16362C, 3.8% vs 9.2%, respectively, P = 0.0025, odds ratio = 0.39, 95% confidence interval: 0.21–0.72), or in the endurance athletes as compared with controls (m.16080G, 2.35% vs 0%, respectively, P = 0.004). Our results indicate that mtDNA variability affects the endurance capacity rather than the power one. We also propose that mtDNA haplogroups and subhaplogroups, as well as individual mtDNA polymorphisms favoring endurance performance, could be population‐specific, reflecting complex cross‐talk between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes.

Genetic variants associated with physical and mental characteristics of the elite athletes in the Polish population

The aim of the study was to assess whether selected genetic variants are associated with elite athlete performance in a group of 413 elite athletes and 451 sedentary controls. Polymorphisms in ACE, ACTN3, AGT, NRF‐2, PGC1A, PPARG, and TFAM implicated in physical performance traits were analyzed. Additionally, polymorphisms in CHRNB3 and FAAH coding for proteins modulating activity of brains emotion centers were included. The results of univariate analyses indicated that the elite athletic performance is associated with four polymorphisms: ACE (rs4341, P = 0.0095), NRF‐2 (rs12594956, P = 0.011), TFAM (rs2306604, P = 0.049), and FAAH (rs324420, P = 0.0041). The multivariate analysis adjusted for age and gender confirmed this association. The higher number of ACE D alleles (P = 0.0021) and the presence of NRF‐2 rs12594956 A allele (P = 0.0067) are positive predictors, whereas TFAM rs2306604 GG genotype (P = 0.031) and FAAH rs324420 AA genotype (P = 0.0084) negatively affect the elite athletic performance. The CHRNB3 variant (rs4950, G allele) is significantly more frequent in the endurance athletes compared with the power ones (P = 0.025). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of rs4950 G allele contributes to endurance performance (P = 0.0047). Our results suggest that genetic inheritance of psychological traits should be taken into consideration while trying to decipher a genetic profile of top athletic performance.

The physical fitness and the safety falling skills of karatekas

The physical fitness in karate, similarly to all martial arts and combat sports is extremely important, because the high level of such motor features as power, speed or endurance can improve the effectiveness of performed techniques and lead to enlargement of chances of the high result in sport [1]. Equally important as power, endurance or speed, is the skill of the maintenance of the equilibrium. Therefore a lot of time on trainings is spent on the improvement of throws and takedowns. During the fight the single action lasts approx. 3-5 seconds because all happens very quickly. In case of the take-down by the opponent there is no time then for thinking how to arrange the body not to get the contusion. Such reaction should be performed automatically [2]. The learning of throws in the karate one starts already in the beginning of the training. Starting with rollings backward and forward, one learns back throw or side throw. The knowledge of those throws is very important, because in most cases during kumite fights in just such manner the competitor falls after the take-dawn by the opponent. Doing throw on the right side of the body the person exercising should perform the leftward strike with the right hand and leg. Then maximally lower the centre of gravity of the body on the left leg so that the body collides with the basis after the fall from the least height possible. The right buttock should touch the floor by the nearest heel of the left foot. In the moment of rolling on the right side, the right hand should energetically hit the floor for the purpose of the assurance. The arrangement of the hand should be analogous to the case of backward throw [3]. Perfecting above-techniques of throws and take-downs one can protect himself from traumata both during karate fights as well as in everyday life in great extent. Karate can be classified as the art of the self-defence. This is not the art of aggression and only the answer to the aggression of the opponent. The foundation of Father of karate – Gichin Funakoshi – was the defence against the aggressor by means of definite blocks and attacks both manual and of foot. Simultaneously one ought to ascertain that the self-defence needs not mean the fight with the opponent, but also the skill of managing threatening situations eg. the fall [4]. Going out from these premises for the aim of the work one put the answer whether there exists the dependence between the special fitness of karate competitors, and skills of falling and the susceptibility to bodily injuries.