In the present study, we paid attention to Japanese competitive amateur wrestling where excellent results have been obtained in Olympics and international games. The purpose of this study was to investigate how ACTN3 gene polymorphism was related to athletic performance and physical capacity in competitive wrestlers.
The subjects were 62 collegiate male wrestlers and eight senior wresters (including four Olympic players). Inspection of ACTN3 polymorphism and measurement of physical fitness (grip strength, back extension strength, sit‐up test, vertical jump and middle power test) were executed for all subjects.
The obtained results were summarized as follows:
1) The frequency of ACTN3 gene expression in the subjects who had some experience of the international games was RR type: 41%, RX type: 41% and XX type: 18%. On the contrary, the frequency of ACTN3 gene expression in the subjects who had no experience of the international games was RR type: 12%, RX type: 44% and XX type: 44%. There was significant difference in the frequency of each genotype between the groups (χ²[df=1]=12.184; p=.0023 and p<0.01).
2) In the subjects who made a specialty of free‐style wrestling and had some experience of the international games (Olympic game or world championship), the frequency of ACTN3 gene expression was RR type: 56%, RX type: 22% and XX type: 22%. On the contrary, the frequency of ACTN3 gene expression in the subjects who made a specialty of free‐style wrestling and had no experience of the international games was RR type: 15%, RX type: 44% and XX type: 41%. There was significant difference in the frequency of each genotype between the groups (χ²[df=2] =5.980; p=.050 and p<.05)
3) As to all subjects, a high tendency was shown about sit‐up test in order of RR type 〉RX type 〉XX type, and the RR type indicated significantly higher value than the XX type. Moreover, the RR type especially indicated a significant higher value in back extension strength, vertical jump and middle power than the RX type and the XX type.
4) In case of division of all subjects into one group of some experience of the international games and other group of no experience of the international games, a high tendency was also shown about all measurement (grip strength, back extension strength, sit‐up test, vertical jump and middle power test) in order of RR type 〉RX type 〉XX type. Especially, the RR type especially indicated a significant higher value in sit‐up test, vertical jump and middle power than the XX type.
In conclusion, it was suggested from above results that competitive wrestlers with R allele would have some advantage of physical capacity, and especially, that RR genotype would be demanded to enhance the athletic performance to international level in competitive amateur wrestling.
