Anaerobic performance and alpha-actinin-3 in children

The aim of this research was to compare the anaerobic performance according to RR, RX and XX genetic configurations of alpha-actinin-3 in children. It was a descriptive as comparative study with a sample of soccer players of 111 boys from 7 to 12 years of age. DNA extraction from saliva was used for alpha-actinin-3 poliphormism identification. After that, a 40 meters sprint test was used to determinate the Power and Fatigue Index. The sample was split in three groups: RR; RX; XX. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess data normality. The comparison was done with ANOVA one-way with Scheffe as post-hoc test. Sprinting data from the three groups showed no significant differences. The higher mean of Power was found in RR group, but there were no significant differences in Power and Fatigue Index. Since it was found no significant differences in anaerobic performance among groups, the authors have concluded that, in childhood it is not possible to identify high performance using physical tests.