People with a certain version of the ACTN3 gene bounce back faster after intense workouts that strain muscles, like downhill running, so they might be able to train more often without getting as sore.

Context Details

Domain

exercise_science

Population

human

Subject

Individuals homozygous for the ACTN3 X allele (XX genotype)

Action

recover baseline voluntary torque values faster after eccentric exercise than

Target

those homozygous for the ACTN3 R allele (RR genotype)

Intervention Details

Type: eccentric exercise

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

37

Human alpha-actinin-3 genotype association with exercise-induced muscle damage and the repeated-bout effect.

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2012 Dec

People with the XX version of the ACTN3 gene bounced back stronger and faster after tough leg exercises than those with the RR version, meaning they might be able to train more often without getting as sore or weak.

Contradicting (0)

0

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Human alpha-actinin-3 genotype association with exercise-induced muscle damage and the repeated-bout effect.

Score: 37

DOI: 10.1139/h2012-087

Similar Assertions

People with a specific version of the ACTN3 gene (the R version) tend to get much more muscle sore and weak after jumping exercises and take longer to bounce back than people with the other version (the X version), like their muscles just can’t handle the stress as well.

37

0

84%

Whether you have the 'speed gene' (RR) or not (XX), your muscles recover and stop getting as sore after doing jump training twice — your genes don’t change how well you bounce back.

37

0

77%