Association of candidate genes regulating proteolytic systems with running performances at different distances

Aim. This study aimed to investigate the association between polymorphisms in candidate genes involved in proteolytic regulation and running performances on different distances. Materials and methods. Genotyping was performed in 123 male athletes (speed skaters and track and field runners specializing in short-, middle-, or long-distance events) and 50 healthy non-athlete controls using real-time polymerase chain reaction (StepOne Real-Time PCR System, Applied Biosystems, USA). Results. The deletion allele (D) and homozygous genotype (DD) of the ACE rs4340 polymorphism were associated with enhanced sprint performance. The homozygous II genotype was linked to enhanced long-distance running performance. Conclusion. These findings suggest that genetic markers may serve as predictors for athletic performance at different running distances. Incorporating genetic profiling into sports selection could enable coaches and sports physicians to optimize athlete specialization, enhance performance, and mitigate risks of overtraining and maladaptation during competitive periods.