Is AGT The New Gene For Muscle Performance? An Analysis of AGT, ACTN3, PPARA and IGF2 on Athletic Performance, Muscle Size and Body Fat Percentage in Caucasian Resistance Training Males

Genetics has long been the field of athletic performance that has been forsaken, however with new advancements in testing ability and availability, certain genes have come to the forefront of physical ability, genes such as ACE and ACTN3 are known colloquially as the FIT genes. This analysis looked into 211 resistance training male Caucasians, the genes and SNPs that were analysed were AGT (rs699), ACTN3 (rs1815739), PPARA (rs4253778) and IGF2 (rs680). Certain gene alleles appear to be interlinked in this group, with certain variants being in higher numbers in this athlete group going against studies on mass population groups. The study suggests that when a favourable genetic profile is combined with correct training it can have an advantageous effect on the individual. However, these results are speculative until a larger group can be analysed, yet, this provides a very good window of opportunity for further analysis into these elusive FIT genes. The gene AGT (rs699) C allele appears to show a good correlation to power performance activity, possibly by increasing the activity of angiotensin II (a skeletal muscle growth factor), however there is a possible link with AGT, fat mass and power to weight ratio. The C allele in rs181739 and G allele in rs680 appear to positively influence back muscle strength performance, although the G allele in rs4253778 appears to have a negative influence upon muscle performance.