The NOS3-786 T/C polymorphism is associated with power performance in adolescent male basketball players

BACKGROUND: The -786 T/C polymorphism of the NOS3 gene (rs2070744) has been previously linked to athletic performance with the T allele found to be present in higher frequency in power-oriented athletes. Still, what remains elusive is the putative effect of this polymorphism on specific measures of physical fitness and technical condition. In this study we examined whether the NOS3-786 T/C genotype is correlated with specific physical or technical skills in a cohort of adolescent basketball players. METHODS: 85 young basketball players (59 boys and 26 girls) were evaluated in various physical fitness parameters (agility, flexibility, speed, jumping ability, and aerobic capacity) as well as technical skills (dribbling, shooting). All players were also genotyped for the NOS3-786 TIC polymorphism. RESULTS: The frequency of the TT genotype was positively correlated with better performance in flying sprints times (10-20 secs; P=0.05, 5-10 secs; P=0.02, and 5-20 secs; P=0.01) as well as with counter movement jump (CMJ) (P=0.03) in boys. The heterozygous cr genotype was correlated with better performance in the agility test for girls. In both sexes, no differences were found between the other physical fitness parameters evaluated (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The NOS3-786 TT genotype appears to be correlated with better performance in speeds and jwnps in boys. These data agree with current literature associating the NOS3-786 TT genotype with power elite athletes. The molecular mechanism by which the TT genotype may confer an advantage in power exercises is still under investigation.