The performance of professional strength and power athletes is influenced, at least partly, by genetic components. The main aim of this study was to investigate individually and in combination the association of ACE (I/D), ACTN3 (R577X) and PPARGC1A (Gly482Ser) gene polymorphisms with strength/power-oriented athletes' status in two cohorts of European athletes. A cohort of European Caucasians from Russia and Lithuania (161 athletes: by groups - weightlifters (87), powerlifters (60), throwers (14); by elite status - 'elite' (104), 'sub-elite' (57); and 1,202 controls) were genotyped for ACE, ACTN3 and PPARGC1A polymorphisms. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and/or restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Statistically significant differences in ACTN3 (R577X) allele/genotype distribution were not observed in the whole cohort of athletes or between analysed groups separately when compared with controls. The odds ratio for athletes compared to controls of the ACE I/I genotype was 1.71 (95% CI 1.01-2.92) in the Russian cohort and for the ACE I/D genotype it was 2.35 (95% CI 1.10-5.06) in the Lithuanian cohort. The odds ratio of being a powerlifter in PPARGC1A Ser/Ser genotype carriers was 2.11 (95% CI: 1.09-4.09, P = 0.026). The ACTN3 (R577X) polymorphism is not associated with strength/power athletic status in two cohorts of European athletes. The ACE I/I genotype is probably the 'preferable genotype' for Russian athletes and the ACE I/D genotype for Lithuanian strength/power athletes. We found that the PPARGC1A (Gly482Ser) polymorphism is associated with strength/power athlete status. Specifically, the PPARGC1A Ser/Ser genotype is more favourable for powerlifters compared to controls.

Polymorphism (rs1805086), c.458A>G, p.Lys(K)153Arg(R), (K153R) of the myostatin gene (MSTN) has been associated with a skeletal muscle phenotype (hypertrophic response in muscles due to strength training). However, there are not enough reliable data to demonstrate whether MSTN rs1805086 K and R allelic variants are valid genetic factors that can affect the strength phenotype of athletes’ skeletal muscles. The aim is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association of MSTN rs1805086 polymorphism with the strength phenotype of athletes. This study analyzed 71 research articles on MSTN and performed a meta-analysis of MSTN K153R rs1805086 polymorphism in strength-oriented athletes and a control (non-athletes) group. It was found that athletes in the strength-oriented athlete group had a higher frequency of the R minor variant than that in the control group (OR = 2.02, P = 0.05). Thus, the obtained results convincingly demonstrate that there is an association between the studied polymorphism and strength phenotype of athletes; therefore, further studies on this association are scientifically warranted.

The problem addressed in this study is the appropriateness of using different pre-training supplementation strategies and their ability to improve training performance and psychological measures. The aim of the study is the evaluation of the effectiveness of a multi-ingredient pre-workout supplement (MIPS) containing beta-alanine, L-citrulline malate, arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, L-taurine, L-tyrosine and caffeine compared to an exact dosage of anhydrous caffeine in bench press strength endurance, feeling scale (FS), felt arousal scale (FAS) and session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE). A group of fifteen resistance-trained males, weighing 83.92 ± 8.95 kg and having an average of 5.6 ± 3.38 years of training experience, tested their bench press 10 repetition maximum (79.01 ± 12.13). In a cross-over manner, they participated in two sessions where they were blinded to the order of supplementation they were given: either a MIPS including caffeine or caffeine alone. They completed the bench press strength endurance test with pre- and post-training psychological assessments containing FS, FAS and sRPE. Bench press repetition volume was greater after anhydrous caffeine than MIPS supplementation with no difference in psychological measures. These results indicate that MIPS supplementation is less ergogenic and cost effective than caffeine alone.

Обоснование. Варианты K/R гена миостатина (MSTN) (rs1805086) связаны с количеством мышечной массы у людей и ответной реакцией организма человека во время силовых тренировок, коррелируют с показателями силовых способностей скелетных мышц спортсменов. Тем не менее недостаточно достоверных данных, чтобы продемонстрировать, являются ли аллельные варианты K и R гена MSTN rs1805086 действительно генетическими факторами, которые могут влиять на силовые показатели скелетных мышц спортсменов и количество мышечной массы. Цель. Провести систематический обзор и сделать метаанализ ассоциации полиморфизма гена MSTN rs1805086 с силовыми показателями спортсменов. Материалы и методы. В проведенном исследовании проанализирована 71 научная публикация о миостатине и проведен метаанализ генотипа MSTN K153R rs1805086 у спортсменов тяжелоатлетических видов спорта и контрольной группой. Результаты. Установлено, что у спортсменов экспериментальной группы более высокая частота минорного аллеля R по сравнению с контрольной (ОШ=2.02, P = 0,05). Заключение. Таким образом, полученные результаты убедительно демонстрируют, что имеется связь между исследуемым полиморфизмом и силовыми показателями спортсменов, следовательно, дальнейшие попытки ее изучения научно обоснованы.

In order to achieve a high result in the course of sports training, the athlete’s body needs to constantly adapt to larger and larger training loads. Such trainings cause constant changes in the composition and properties of the biological system of the body. The relevance of the study is due to the need to use genetic testing both in sports selection and in sports training of athletes of different disciplines. The purpose of the study is to determine the genotypes that are associated with an increase in the performance and health of an athlete. During the analysis of scholarly researches on the subject some genetic markers affecting a person’s physical abilities were identified. The article also presents the results of scientific research reflecting the mechanisms of adaptation of the body to physical exertion.

ADRB2 encodes the β2-adrenergic receptor, which is involved in regulating cardiovascular and respiratory function and lipolysis. This narrative review (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection, to 8 October 2026; Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020-adapted flow diagram) summarises 48 primary association studies of ADRB2 polymorphisms, mainly Arg16Gly (rs1042713) and Gln27Glu (rs1042714), with athletic status, obesity, longevity, cardiovascular disease, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); assesses their methodological quality; and critically examines meta-analyses. In athletes, mostly nominal associations link Gly16 and Glu27 with speed–strength status and Arg16Gly with endurance status, but a meta-analysis did not confirm an ADRB2 association with runner and cyclist status. Obesity and diet-response associations are inconsistent, varying by population and sex. The rs1042718–rs1042719 haplotype was associated with longevity only in Han Chinese men, and Glu27Glu with increased myocardial infarction risk only in a subgroup with a specific angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) genotype. In meta-analyses, Glu27 is not associated with COPD risk in Asian or Caucasian populations. About half of the studies had fewer than 500 participants, almost none have been replicated, and many lack correction for multiple comparisons. The ADRB2 gene cannot serve as a tool for predicting athletic performance or for selection; its contribution should be studied as part of multimarker panels.