Genetic Basis for the Dominance of Israeli Long-Distance Runners of Ethiopian Origin

Abstract

Ben-Zaken, S, Meckel, Y, Nemet, D, Kassem, E, and Eliakim, A. Genetic basis for the dominance of Israeli long-distance runners of Ethiopian origin. J Strength Cond Res 35(7): 1885-1896, 2021-Israeli long-distance runners of Ethiopian origin have a major influence on the track and field long-distance record table. The aim of this study was to determine whether genetic characteristics contribute to this long-distance dominance. We assessed polymorphisms in genes related to endurance (PPARD T/C), endurance trainability (ACSL A/G), speed (ACTN3 R/X), strength (AGT T/C), and the recovery from training (MTC1 A/T and IL6 G/C) among top Israeli long-distance runners of Ethiopian origin (n = 37), Israeli non-Ethiopian origin runners of Caucasian origin (n = 76), and Israeli nonathletic controls (n = 55). Israeli runners of Ethiopian origin had a greater frequency of the PPARD CC + PARGC1A Gly/Gly polymorphism, associated with improved endurance performance, compared with Israeli runners of non-Ethiopian origins (24 vs. 3%, respectively, p < 0.01); a lower frequency of the ACSL AA polymorphism, favoring endurance trainability (8 vs. 20%, respectively, p < 0.05); a greater frequency of the ACTN3 RR polymorphism, associated with sprint performance (35 vs. 20%, respectively, p < 0.05); a greater frequency of the MCT1 AA genotype, associated with improved lactate transport (65 vs. 45%, respectively, p < 0.05); and a lower frequency of IL-6 174C carriers, associated with reduced postexercise muscle damage (27 vs. 40%, respectively, p < 0.01). There was no difference in the frequency of AGT T/C gene polymorphism between the long-distance runners of Ethiopian and non-Ethiopian origin. Frequencies of PPARD CC + PARGC1A Gly/Gly, MCT1 AA, IL-6 174C, and AGT polymorphism were significantly favorable among Ethiopian, but not among non-Ethiopian, origin runners compared with controls. Taken together, results suggest that genetically, the dominance of Israeli long-distance runners of Ethiopian origin relates not only to endurance polymorphisms but also to polymorphisms associated with enhanced speed performance and better training recovery ability.