Associação de polimorfismos genéticos com capacidades físicas e composição corporal em idosas

Abstract

The elderly population has grown substantially, and the decline in physical capacities and increase in the body fat percentage are important characteristics of aging. Genetic factors may explain these declines and studies related to this issue are justified because they predict what physical capacities present larger declines in different individuals and enable the adoption of strategies to slow them. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ACE I/D and ACTN3 R/X genetic polymorphisms on body fat, muscle strength and power levels, aerobic capacity, flexibility and agility in older women. Sixty-six older women were genotyped with respect to ACTN3 and ACE polymorphisms for the division of groups and submitted to anthropometric measurements, physical tests in the AAHPERD and RIKLI and JONES test batteries and IPAQ to determine the level of physical activity and the Food Consumption Marker Form. Older women with XX genotype in relation to ACTN3 genotype had lower levels of flexibility of upper and lower limbs and lower cardiorespiratory fitness. Moreover, in relation to the ACE genotype, ID individuals exhibited higher cardiorespiratory fitness and lower body fat percentages. In relation to the other variables, there was no statistical difference among groups. It was concluded that the genetic variants under study play a role in some of the physical capacities and body composition in elderly women. In the future, data of this nature will enable each individual to have specific health interventions directed to the variables showing higher genetic potential for decline.