Association of the Gly482Ser polymorphism of the PGC-1α gene with aerobic performance and muscle strength

Introduction: The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) gene has a polymorphism known as Gly482Ser that has been associated with aerobic capacity. Objective. To explore the association of the Gly482Ser polymorphism of the PGC-1α gene with aerobic performance and strength performance in young adults. Methods. The cross-sectional study cohort comprised 106 participants. The Gly482Ser polymorphism in PGC-1α was ascertained using the RFLP-PCR genotyping technique. Standardized physical evaluations were administered to assess aerobic capacity and muscular strength. Results. Participants who possess the homozygous Gly482 genotype demonstrated better physical performance assessed by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), exhibited a reduced heart rate recovery time. Gly482 homozygous men achieved a greater walking distance. Women had a higher oxygen consumption during the Astrand test. No significant differences were observed in the Ruffier index. In terms of muscle strength evaluated through the push-up test, women with the Gly482 genotype were at a disadvantage, while this genotype did not affect hand grip and maximal isometric strength evaluations. For men, no statistically significant differences in muscle strength were observed measured by the hand grip test, the push-up test, or the maximum isometric strength. Discussion. The results are consistent with previous reports in which the Gly482 allele shows an association with aerobic performance, while the Ser482 allele has been associated with muscle strength and power. Conclusions. The findings indicate that the Gly482Ser polymorphism of the PGC-1α gene is correlated with variations in physical performance, with the Gly482 genotype demonstrating superior performance in aerobic capacity assessments among young adults.