Abstract

We studied the frequency distribution of alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3) R577X genotypes in 60 top-level Spanish professional soccer players. Their results were compared with those of 52 elite endurance athletes and 123 sedentary controls. The % distribution of RR and RX genotypes in soccer players (48.3% and 36.7%) was significantly higher and lower, respectively, from controls (28.5% and 53.7%) and endurance athletes (26.5% and 52%) (P = 0.041). Though with notable exceptions, elite soccer players tend to have the sprint/power ACTN3 genotype.