Identification of genetic markers for skill and athleticism in sub-elite Australian football players: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Natural genetic variation contributes towards athletic performance in various strength/power and endurance based sports. To date, no studies have explored the genetic predisposition towards skill and athletic performance in Australian Football (AF) players. METHODS: The present pilot study recruited 30 sub-elite AF players who completed tests of endurance, power and technical skill. Specific polymorphisms in nine genes were screened, and assessed for a possible association with athletic and skill traits. RESULTS: Statistical analysis using generalized linear models identified a number of polymorphisms predictive of endurance and technical skill. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), normally responsible for regulation of body fluid volume, was a significant factor in predicting 'all round' athletic performance and skill. Specifically, the deletion allele (DD) of ACE was identified as a predictor for AF power (P <= 0.008), endurance (P=0.001) and skill assessments (P <= 0.003). In addition, polymorphisms in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, D2 dopamine receptor, and catechol-O-methyltransferase genes were also shown to contribute to kicking skill outcomes (P <= 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to implicate the ACE deletion allele for a multidimensional sport in such a way. Further, the results from this study have identified several new candidate genes in predicting athletic and technical skill outcomes.