The role of adiposity, growth and inflammation related gene variants in physical performance and body composition
Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Poor aerobic fitness and obesity are significant risk factors for morbidity and premature mortality.Neuromuscular fitness is of crucial importance in maintaining daily activities and preserving life quality in the elderly.The effects of physical activity and nutrition on physical fitness and obesity are well known.In contrast, the effects of specific genes and their variants on physical performance and body composition are largely unknown.Associations of selected variants in IL6, IL6R, IGF1, IGFBP3, LEP, LEPR and FTO genes with physical performance, body composition and cytokine levels were investigated in a cross-sectional study setting in 846 young Finnish men during military refresher courses, and the training responses were studied during eight weeks of basic military training in 56 conscripts.The studied genes produce key metabolic regulators which have an effect on both body composition and on the physiological responses to physical training.The FTO SNP rs8050136 was found to be associated with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.Although aerobic fitness did not modify the effect of FTO on BMI or waist circumference, it did have, however, a favorable effect on body composition regardless of the FTO genotype.The IL6R SNP rs4537545 was associated with circulating IL-6 levels and with BMI in the sedentary state.The IL6 rs1800795 associated with increased VO2max (both absolute L•min -1 and relative mL•kg -1 •min -1 ) in response to 8 weeks of physical training.The IGF1 SNP rs7136446 associated with maximal isometric force production.The LEP SNP rs7799039 associated with changes in body composition as they responded to 8 weeks of physical training.The AA genotype carriers lost significantly less fat mass as compared to the G allele carriers during the training.The present findings suggest that the effect of FTO genetic variation on body composition is not modified by aerobic fitness.IL6R variants may be associated with circulating IL-6 levels and BMI.Furthermore, IL6 variants may be associated with gains in aerobic performance in response to physical training.IGF1 variants may associate with force production and LEP variants with changes in body composition in response to physical training.These observations can be applied in the prevention of obesity and in improving physical performance, both being factors which can decrease the risk for chronic diseases and improve the quality of life.The results provide novel information about the biological mechanisms behind body composition and physical performance.However, it should be noted, that these findings need to be replicated in larger cohorts, including children, women and the elderly in order to confirm the putative associations.
Author: Antti Huuskonen
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3095198174