R.C. Silva, F.M. Ayres, T.C.V. Gigonzac, A.S. Cruz, F.M. Rodrigues
Published: February 23, 2024
Genet. Mol. Res. 23(1): GMR19149
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr19149
Cite this Article:
R.C. Silva, F.M. Ayres, T.C.V. Gigonzac, A.S. Cruz, F.M. Rodrigues (2024). Genetic polymorphisms of the ACE gene associated with elite athletes: an integrative systematic review. Genet. Mol. Res. 23(1): GMR19149. https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr19149
About the Authors
R.C. Silva, F.M. Ayres, T.C.V. Gigonzac, A.S. Cruz, F.M. Rodrigues
Corresponding Author
Email: rflamelo@pucgoias.edu.br
ABSTRACT
In the 1990s, studies began on genetic differences and their association with human physical performance. Various phenotypic characteristics, such as diseases and human performance, could be associated with genetic polymorphisms of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) gene. We evaluated studies on genetic polymorphisms of the ACE gene associated with elite athletes. Data were searched through the Scopus database using the descriptors “elite athlete*” AND (allele* OR polymorphism*). The PICO strategy was used to elaborate the guiding question of this integrative systematic review, where P indicates the population/patients, I is related to the intervention, C refers to comparison/control and the letter O refers to the expected outcomes. The articles were compared and grouped by similarity of content referring to the studied genetic polymorphisms. After selecting and tabulating the data, they were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The search returned a total of 212 studies and of these, 27 articles that studied the ACE gene in elite athletes were considered in the analyses. A total of 8,146 individuals were analyzed; among them 2,660 were athletes and 5,486 were from the control group. The studies were conducted in countries in Europe and Asia. The most studied sport modality was athletics (n = 13), followed by soccer (n = 8). Among the selected studies, 59% found a significant association between ACE gene polymorphism and elite athlete performance, where the polymorphic allele I is associated with resistance increase, the allele D with strength increase and the heterozygous genotype with the power of the elite athlete. With this study, it was possible to perceive that genetic factors, such as polymorphism of the ACE gene, influence several characteristics related to sports performance, especially in elite athletes.
Key words: Angiotensin converting enzyme, Genetic variants, Scientific production, Sports genetics, Sports performance.