The relationship between ACE I/D gene polymorphism rs4646994 and incidence and severity of sport injuries in Iranian male elite weightlifters

Despite careful control of environmental factors, there is a wide variety of interpersonal muscle-induced muscle damage. Genetic changes can also be important in determining susceptibility to injury. Weightlifting is one of the most successful Iranian sports teams in Olympics; so, the aim of this study was the investigation of the relationship between ACE I/D gene polymorphism rs4646994 and incidence and severity of sport injuries in Iranian male elite weightlifters.

The study was cross-sectional research that conducted in 2022. The statistical population consisted of male elite weightlifters from Isfahan consisting of 31 athletes who all were investigated as sample. A questionnaire was used to collect the injuries data. Saliva samples were taken from all subjects and DNA was extracted and genotyped by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real time-PCR). Chi-square and regression tests were used to analyze the data. Significance level was also considered at P < 0.05.

There was a significant difference in the incidence of injuries in different genotypes. ID genotype (59.4%) had the highest incidence of injury in compare with DD (23.2%) and II (17.4%) genotypes (χ2 = 21.47, P = 0.001). Also, there was a significant difference in the severity of injuries in different genotypes (χ2 =15.59, P = 0.049); but there was no relationship between genotype and incidence and the severity of sports injuries in selected Iranian elite male weightlifters (P = 0.715).

The results showed differences in the incidence and severity of sport injuries in different genotypes, hence it would be important in the prediction injury risk in weightlifters.