Junhao Kong

Background: This exploratory study examined associations between Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism (ACE I/D) and aerobic and strength responses to concurrent training in high-level football players. Methods: Twenty-five male players completed six weeks of concurrent training (DD, n = 8; ID, n = 10; II, n = 7). Outcomes were peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak), squat one-repetition maximum (1RM), and bench press 1RM. Primary analyses assessed genotype × time interactions using mixed-design repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), with Benjamini–Hochberg correction across outcomes and Holm-adjusted pairwise comparisons of changes. Supplementary analyses included baseline-adjusted analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)and change-score regressions adjusted for age and body mass index, with HC3 robust standard errors. Results: All three outcomes improved significantly within each genotype group. Genotype × time interactions were significant for VO₂peak, squat 1RM, and bench press 1RM (Benjamini–Hochberg-adjusted p = 0.0015, 0.0015, and 0.0028, respectively). Holm-adjusted comparisons showed greater VO₂peak gains in ID and II than in DD (adjusted p ≤ 0.006). DD showed greater squat and bench press gains than ID and II (adjusted p ≤ 0.026). No outcome differed significantly between ID and II after Holm adjustment. However, the ID versus DD difference in VO₂peak change was not significant in age- and BMI-adjusted regression with HC3 standard errors (p = 0.063). Conclusions: ACE I/D genotype was associated with differences in aerobic and strength adaptations following concurrent training in this small cohort. Support for individual comparisons varied across analyses. These exploratory findings require replication in larger independent cohorts before genotype-based training prescriptions can be justified.

Background/Objectives: Previous multi-ethnic genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified the GALNT13 rs10196189 polymorphism as a potential genetic marker linked to sprint–power performance. However, its relevance in East Asian populations, particularly the Han Chinese, remains untested. This study aimed to replicate the association of rs10196189 with elite sprint–power athlete status in Han Chinese males and examine its potential influence on physical performance traits and tissue-specific gene regulation. Methods: A total of 188 healthy Han Chinese males (49 elite sprint–power athletes and 139 non-athletic controls) were genotyped using the TaqMan assay. Assessments included strength, sprint, jump, anaerobic power, DXA-derived body composition, and muscle ultrasound. Logistic regression and ROC analyses evaluated the predictive value of rs10196189. Linear regression models adjusted for age and BMI tested genotype–phenotype associations. Tissue expression and functional networks were analyzed using GTEx and HumanBase databases. Results: The G allele frequency was significantly higher in athletes (12.2%) than in controls (5.4%, p = 0.042). Dominant and additive models effectively predicted athlete status (OR = 2.53–2.58, p < 0.05). Although most traits showed no significant associations post-correction, medial gastrocnemius thickness showed a nominal association (β = 0.371, p = 0.011). Functional analyses revealed high GALNT13 expression in brain tissue and co-expression networks enriched in synaptic signaling and glycosylation pathways. Conclusions: This is the first study to validate the association of GALNT13 rs10196189 with elite athletic status in Han Chinese males. Findings provide novel population-specific evidence and propose tissue-specific glycosylation and neural mechanisms as pathways linking this variant to sprint–power phenotypes.