Is There an ACE ID – ACTN3 R577X Polymorphisms Interaction that Influences Sprint Performance?

Abstract Functional R577X (rs.1815739) and ID (rs.5186) polymorphisms in the α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) and the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) genes, respectively, have been associated with sprint performance. The aim of this study was to determine their effect on sprint performance among 81 Israeli sprinters and 240 healthy controls. Results revealed that the ACE II genotype+ACTN3 R allele (P=0.003 for sprinters vs. controls), and the ACTN3 RR genotype+ACE I allele (P=0.001 for sprinters vs. controls) might be the genotype for sprinters. In the whole cohort the probability of ACTN3 RR genotype+ ACE I allele being a sprinter (odds ratio 2.67, 95% confidence interval 1.45–4.93) and of ACE II genotype+ACTN3 R allele being a sprinter (odds ratio 3.57, 95% confidence interval 1.78–7.15) was significantly higher than that in the controls. In conclusion, the above data suggest that ACE ID/ACTN3 R577X genotype combination is associated with sprint ability. However, ACE ID/ACTN3 R577X genotype combination is not related to the level of performance.