Highlights from the functional single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with human muscle size and strength or FAMuSS study

Abstract

The purpose of the Functional Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated with Human Muscle Size and Strength study or FAMuSS was to identify genetic factors that dictated the response of health-related fitness phenotypes to resistance exercise training (RT). The phenotypes examined were baseline muscle strength and muscle, fat, and bone volume and their response to RT. FAMuSS participants were 1300 young (24 years), healthy men (42%) and women (58%) that were primarily of European-American descent. They were genotyped for ~500 polymorphisms and completed the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess energy expenditure and time spent in light, moderate, and vigorous intensity habitual physical activity and sitting. Subjects then performed a 12-week progressive, unilateral RT program of the nondominant arm with the dominant arm used as a comparison. Before and after RT, muscle strength was measured with the maximum voluntary contraction and one repetition maximum, while MRI measured muscle, fat, and bone volume. We will discuss the history of how FAMuSS originated, provide a brief overview of the FAMuSS methods, and summarize our major findings regarding genotype associations with muscle strength and size, body composition, cardiometabolic biomarkers, and physical activity.

Figure 1

Biceps cross-sectional area.   Histogram of biceps cross-sectional area changes (relative to baseline) within each gender for the trained arm. Black bars denote responses of men, while white bars denote responses of women. Reprinted with permission [7].

Figure 2

Isometric strength test.Histogram of isometric strength changes (relative to baseline) within each gender for the trained arm. Black bars denote responses of men, while white bars denote responses of women. Reprinted with permission [7].