ACTN3 R577X polymorphism related to sarcopenia and physical fitness in active older women

Abstract

Background

As the population is getting older, physical activity promotion becomes a good strategy to increase quality of life in the elderly; but genetic condition also plays an important role. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism with physical fitness and muscle mass in physically active older women.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed with two groups of older women who practiced physical exercise regularly. The first cohort comprised 164 women (age 69.7 ± 3.2 years) and the second cohort 131 women (age 78.5 ± 3.0 years). The main outcome measures were anthropometric measures with assessment of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, self-reported physical activity EXERNET questionnaire (EEPAQ), evaluation of physical fitness (muscle strength and flexibility test), and ACTN3 genotyping.

Results

Women above 75 years old with allele R presented a higher risk of experiencing sarcopenia compared to ACTNR XX homozygous women (odds ratio 0.356, 95% confidence interval 0.139–0.915, p = 0.026). Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found in the chair stand test (p = 0.04), as well as in the sit and reach test (p = 0.01), with better results for women below 75 years old with the ACTN3 XX genotype.

Conclusions

Sarcopenia and physical fitness show differences based on the ACTN3 R577X genotype in active older women.

摘要

背景：随着人口老龄化, 促进体育锻炼成为提高老年人生活质量的量好策略；但遗传因素也起着重要作用。本研究的目的是研究ACTN3 R577X基因多态性与积极参与锻炼老年女性的体能和肌肉质量之间的关系。

方法：对两组规律进行体育锻炼的老年妇女进行了横断面研究。第一组包括164名女性（年龄69.7±3.2岁）, 第二组包括131名女性（年龄78.5±3.0岁）。主要观察指标为人体测量学指标, 包括对肌肉减少症和肌肉源性肥胖的评估, 自我报告的体育锻炼EXERNET问卷（EEPAQ）, 体能评估（肌肉力量和柔韧性测试）以及ACTN3基因分型。

结果：75岁以上女性中, 与ACTNR XX纯合女性相比, 具有等位基因R的女性出现肌肉减少症的风险更高（OR 0.356, 95％置信区间0.139-0.915, p = 0.026）。此外, 在椅子站立试验（p = 0.04）、坐位和伸展试验中发现差异具有显著统计学意义（p = 0.01）, 对于75岁以下的具有ACTN3 XX基因型女性, 以上结果更好。

结论：在积极参加体育锻炼的老年女性中, 由于ACTN3 R577X基因型的不同, 肌肉减少症和体能状况也会有所不同。

Keywords:

• ACTN3
• physical fitness
• genotype
• women
• aged
• lifestyle

Potential conflict of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Source of funding

This study was supported by funds from IMSERSO [104/07], [147/2011]; University of Zaragoza [UZ 2008-BIO-01]; Carlos III Institute [Spanish Net on Aging and Frailty (RETICEF)], [RD12/043/0002]; Biomedical Research Networking Center on Frailty and Health Aging (CIBERFES); FEDER funds from European Union [CB16/10/00477].