Analysis of the ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism Profile in Professional Football Players

ACTN3 R577X is a polymorphism of the gene encoding alpha-actinin-3, a protein located in fast-twitch type IIb muscle fibres. It is considered an anchoring point for actin filaments in sarcomeres, contributing to powerful muscle contractions and the transmission of the force generated by these contractions. Our aim is, on the one hand, to identify the different genotypes in order to discover and select sporting talent. On the other hand, we also aim to identify the risk of specific sports injuries associated with the genotype. This information could be of significant value to technical staff (coaches and strength and conditioning coaches) and medical teams when assigning players to specific playing positions and managing their exposure to match play in order to minimise injury risk.

Football coaches and strength and conditioning coaches could improve players’ physical performance by adapting conditioning programmes and assigning players to appropriate positions based on their genetic profile.

Genetics plays an important role in several fields, such as healthcare, and has increasingly gained relevance in sports science. Several research groups are studying the association between this gene and sports performance, with the aim of using this association as a tool to support the identification and selection of sporting talent.

This gene has three possible genotypes (XX, RX and RR). RX and RR express alpha-actinin-3 and have been associated with disciplines in which strength, speed and power are predominant capacities, whereas the XX genotype, which does not express the protein, has been associated with aerobic endurance activities (Coelho et al., 2018). Explosive sports such as football have been studied to determine the relationship between this polymorphism and performance in professional football players. In fact, previous studies have observed a higher frequency of the RR genotype in most studies (Egorova et al., 2014; Galeandro et al., 2017; Ulucan et al., 2015). However, studies investigating the relationship between football and this polymorphism remain limited and have mainly been conducted in footballers playing in other leagues, such as Russia and Iran, which are ranked below the Spanish football league.

On the other hand, it is known that the different playing positions adopted by a team (forwards, full-backs, centre-backs, goalkeepers and midfielders) show different performance profiles (Disalvo et al., 2009). To our knowledge, no studies have analysed the relationship between players’ positions and their genetic profile.

Among the associations with performance, several studies have investigated physical variables such as speed and power. However, through our project’s collaboration with the Spanish professional football league, LaLiga, we will be able to examine associations with the demands experienced by these athletes during football matches. In addition, one of our future objectives is to investigate the relationship between the genotype and injury risk, with the aim of adapting conditioning programmes for players with specific genotypes in order to minimise their exposure to injury risk during match play.

The technology is currently at the research stage. The aim is to identify the different genotypes in order to discover and select sporting talent. In addition, we aim to identify the risk of specific sports injuries associated with the genotype.

• Professional and High-Performance Football Clubs.
• Academies and Training Centres for Young Sporting Talent.
• Sports Committees and Federations (for long-term strategic planning).
• Sports Medicine and Performance Centres.

Víctor Moreno Pérez – Department of Pathology and Surgery