VEGFA rs2010963 GG genotype is associated with superior adaptations to resistance versus endurance training in the same group of healthy, young men

• Published in: Molecular genetics and genomics : MGG Vol. 298; no. 1; pp. 119 - 129
• Main Authors: Boidin, Maxime, Dawson, Ellen A., Thijssen, Dick H. J., Erskine, Robert M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.01.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Actinin - genetics; Adaptation; Adaptation, Physiological - genetics; Alleles; Animal Genetics and Genomics; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cross-Over Studies; Endurance Training; exercise; genetic predisposition to disease; genomics; Genotype; Genotype & phenotype; genotyping; homozygosity; Homozygotes; Human Genetics; Humans; Isometric; Life Sciences; Male; Microbial Genetics and Genomics; Muscle contraction; Muscle Strength - genetics; Muscle, Skeletal; Original; Original Article; peak oxygen uptake; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Resistance Training; Single-nucleotide polymorphism; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - genetics; Maximal force; Training response; Strength training; Genetic variation; Aerobic training
• ISSN: 1617-4615; 1617-4623; 1617-4623
• DOI: 10.1007/s00438-022-01965-4

Purpose We used a within-subject, cross-over study to determine the relationship between the intra-individual adaptations to four weeks’ resistance (RT) versus four weeks’ endurance (END) training, and we investigated whether three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with these adaptations. Methods Thirty untrained, healthy, young men completed a cycling test to exhaustion to determine peak oxygen uptake (V̇O 2peak ), and a knee extension (KE) maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the right leg before and after four weeks’ supervised RT (four sets of 10 repetitions at 80% single repetition maximum unilateral KE exercise, three times weekly) and four weeks’ supervised END (30 min combined continuous/interval cycling, three times weekly), separated by a three-week washout phase. Participants were genotyped for the ACTN3 rs1815739, NOS3 rs2070744 and VEGFA rs2010963 SNPs. Results The intra-individual adaptations regarding percentage changes in MVIC force and V̇O 2peak following RT and END, respectively, were unrelated ( r 2  = 0.003; P  = 0.79). However, a VEGFA genotype × training modality interaction ( P  = 0.007) demonstrated that VEGFA GG homozygotes increased their MVIC force after RT (+ 20.9 ± 13.2%) more than they increased their V̇O 2peak after END (+ 8.4 ± 9.1%, P  = 0.005), and more than VEGFA C-allele carriers increased their MVIC force after RT (+ 12.2 ± 8.1%, P  = 0.04). There were no genotype × training modality interactions for the ACTN3 or NOS3 SNPs. Conclusion High/low responders to RT were not consequently high/low responders to END or vice versa. However, preferential adaptation of VEGFA rs2010963 GG homozygotes to RT over END, and their greater adaptation to RT compared to VEGFA C-allele carriers, indicate a novel genetic predisposition for superior RT adaptation.