SECTION II - EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND SPORTS MEDICINE / RESEARCH PAPER
Genotypic and Allelic Frequencies of the ACE I/D Polymorphism in Elite Moroccan Athletes and Controls: A Pilot Study
 
More details
Hide details
1
Department of Biology, Laboratory of Biology and Health, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco.
 
2
Sport Sciences Research Centre,, Rey Juan Carlos University, Fuenlabrada, Spain, Spain
 
3
Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Al Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
 
4
International Institute of Sport Sciences (2I2S), Rennes, France.
 
5
Mohammed VI Center for Research & Innovation, Rabat, Morocco.
 
6
Laboratory of Ecology, Environment and Health, Human Health and Environment Team, Faculty of Sciences of Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco.
 
7
Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
 
 
Submission date: 2024-02-20
 
 
Final revision date: 2024-04-19
 
 
Acceptance date: 2026-02-12
 
 
Online publication date: 2026-06-01
 
 
Corresponding author
Hassane Zouhal   

Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Sport Sciences and Physical Education Department, UFR APS - Université Rennes 2, France, France
 
 
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This study sought to investigate the genotypic and allelic frequencies of ACE I/D polymorphisms in elite Moroccan road cyclists and field hockey players. Forty-three Moroccan elite male athletes (19 cyclists; 24 field hockey players) and 28 healthy non-athletes were recruited for the study. All participants underwent ACE I/D polymorphism genotyping by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genomic DNA from blood samples. The genotypic distribution of the ACE I/D polymorphism was similar in elite athletes (DD: 46.50, ID: 44.20, II: 9.30%) and controls (DD: 42.90, ID: 46.40, II: 10.70%; X2 = 0.103, p = 0.949). The allelic distribution was also similar in elite athletes (D allele; 68.60, I allele: 31.40%) and controls (D allele; 66.07, I allele: 33.93%; X2 = 0.099, p = 0.752) as well as cyclists (D allele; 63.16, I allele: 36.84%) and field hockey players (D allele; 72.92, I allele: 27.08%; X2 = 0.937, p = 0.332). These novel data indicate no significant differences in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the ACE I/D polymorphism between athletes and controls or between elite road cyclists and field hockey players of Moroccan origin.
REFERENCES (64)
1.
Abbiss, C. R., Menaspà, P., Villerius, V., & Martin, D. T. (2013). Distribution of power output when establishing a breakaway in cycling. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 8(4), 452–455. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.....
 
2.
Ahmetov, I. I., Egorova, E. S., Gabdrakhmanova, L. J., & Fedotovskaya, O. N. (2016). Genes and Athletic Performance : An Update. Medicine and Sport Science, 61, 41–54. https://doi.org/10.1159/000445....
 
3.
Ash, G. I., Scott, R. A., Deason, M., Dawson, T. A., Wolde, B., Bekele, Z., Teka, S., & Pitsiladis, Y. P. (2011). No association between ACE gene variation and endurance athlete status in Ethiopians. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(4), 590–597. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b....
 
4.
Bouchard, C., & Hoffman, E. P. (Eds.). (2011). Genetic and Molecular Aspects of Sport Performance. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/978144....
 
5.
Boyle, P. M., Mahoney, C. A., & Wallace, W. F. (1994). The competitive demands of elite male field hockey. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 34(3), 235–241.
 
6.
Bray, M. S., Hagberg, J. M., Pérusse, L., Rankinen, T., Roth, S. M., Wolfarth, B., & Bouchard, C. (2009). The human gene map for performance and health-related fitness phenotypes : The 2006-2007 update. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41(1), 35–73. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b....
 
7.
Charbonneau, D. E., Hanson, E. D., Ludlow, A. T., Delmonico, M. J., Hurley, B. F., & Roth, S. M. (2008). ACE genotype and the muscle hypertrophic and strength responses to strength training. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40(4), 677–683. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b....
 
8.
Chen, J. J. (2010). The Hardy-Weinberg principle and its applications in modern population genetics. Frontiers in Biology, 5(4), 348–353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11515....
 
9.
Chen, Y. J., Li, L. J., Tang, W. L., Song, J. Y., Qiu, R., Li, Q., Xue, H., & Wright, J. M. (2018). First-line drugs inhibiting the renin angiotensin system versus other first-line antihypertensive drug classes for hypertension. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 11, CD008170. https://doi.org/10.1002/146518....
 
10.
Chiu, Y.-H., Lai, J.-I., Tseng, C.-Y., Wang, S.-H., Li, L.-H., Kao, W.-F., How, C.-K., Chang, W.-H., & Hsieh, C.-Y. (2019). Impact of angiotension I converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism on running performance, lipid, and biochemical parameters in ultra-marathoners. Medicine, 98(29), e16476. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.000....
 
11.
Cieszczyk, P., Krupecki, K., Maciejewska, A., & Sawczuk, M. (2009). The angiotensin converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism in Polish rowers. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 30(8), 624–627. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0029....
 
12.
Cieszczyk, P., Maciejewska, A., Sawczuk, M., Ficek, K., Eider, J., & Jascaniene, N. (2010). The angiotensin converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism in ellite polish and lithuanian judo players. Biology of Sport, 27(2), 119–122. https://doi.org/10.5604/208318....
 
13.
Coelho, D. B., Pimenta, E. M., Rosse, I. C., de Oliveira, E. C., Becker, L. K., Ferreira-Júnior, J. B., Lopes, L. M., Carvalho, M. R., & Silami-Garcia, E. (2022). Polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene (ACE-I/D) differentiates the aerobic and speed performance of football players. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 62(2), 192–198. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022....
 
14.
Coelho, D., Pimenta, E., Rosse, I., Veneroso, C., Pussieldi, G., Becker, L., Carvalho, M., & Silami-Garcia, E. (2016). Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-I/D) polymorphism frequency in Brazilian soccer players. Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism, 41(6), 692–694. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2....
 
15.
Danser, A. H., Schalekamp, M. A., Bax, W. A., van den Brink, A. M., Saxena, P. R., Riegger, G. A., & Schunkert, H. (1995). Angiotensin-converting enzyme in the human heart. Effect of the deletion/insertion polymorphism. Circulation, 92(6), 1387–1388. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.cir....
 
16.
Doğan, C. S., Polat, T., Akkoç, O., Kurudirek, M. İ., & Ulucan, K. (2022). The Determination Of The Relationship Between VO2max And The Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Gene (ACE) rs1799752 Polymorphisms In The Turkish National Ice Hockey Sports Team. Cellular and Molecular Biology, 68(10), 90–93.
 
17.
Ehlert, T., Simon, P., & Moser, D. A. (2013). Epigenetics in sports. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 43(2), 93–110. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279....
 
18.
El Ouali, E. M., Barthelemy, B., Del Coso, J., Hackney, A. C., Laher, I., Govindasamy, K., Mesfioui, A., Granacher, U., & Zouhal, H. (2024). A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Association Between ACTN3 R577X Genotypes and Performance in Endurance Versus Power Athletes and Non-athletes. Sports Medicine - Open, 10(1), 37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798....
 
19.
El Ouali, E. M., Bosquet, L., Elgharbaoui, B., Laziri, F., Laher, I., Hackney, A. C., Ibrahimi, A., Taib, B., El Harane, S., Weiss, K., Knechtle, B., Mesfioui, A., & Zouhal, H. (2023). Association between “cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36)” and adipose tissue lipolysis during exercise training : A systematic review. Frontiers in Physiology, 14, 1256440. https://www.frontiersin.org/ar....
 
20.
El Ouali, E. M., Kartibou, J., Del Coso, J., El Makhzen, B., Bouguenouch, L., El Harane, S., Taib, B., Weiss, K., Knechtle, B., Mesfioui, A., & Zouhal, H. (2024). Genotypic and Allelic Distribution of the CD36 rs1761667 Polymorphism in High-Level Moroccan Athletes : A Pilot Study. Genes, 15(4), 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes1....
 
21.
El Ouali, E. M., Zouhal, H., Bahije, L., Ibrahimi, A., Benamar, B., Kartibou, J., Saeidi, A., Laher, I., El Harane, S., Granacher, U., & Mesfioui, A. (2023). Effects of Malocclusion on Maximal Aerobic Capacity and Athletic Performance in Young Sub-Elite Athletes. Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 11(3), 71. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports....
 
22.
Falahati, A., & Arazi, H. (2019). Association of ACE gene polymorphism with cardiovascular determinants of trained and untrained Iranian men. Genes and Environment: The Official Journal of the Japanese Environmental Mutagen Society, 41, 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41021....
 
23.
Gineviciene, V., Jakaitiene, A., Tubelis, L., & Kucinskas, V. (2014). Variation in the ACE, PPARGC1A and PPARA genes in Lithuanian football players. European Journal of Sport Science, 14 (Suppl 1), S289–295. https://doi.org/10.1080/174613....
 
24.
Gordon, S. E., Davis, B. S., Carlson, C. J., & Booth, F. W. (2001). ANG II is required for optimal overload-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy. American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism, 280(1), E150–159. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpend....
 
25.
Grenda, A., Leońska-Duniec, A., Kaczmarczyk, M., Ficek, K., Król, P., Cięszczyk, P., & Żmijewski, P. (2014). Interaction Between ACE I/D and ACTN3 R557X Polymorphisms in Polish Competitive Swimmers. Journal of Human Kinetics, 42(1), 127–136. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-....
 
26.
Gronek, P., Holdys, J., Konarski, J., Krysciak, J., & Wolc, A. (2013). ACE I/D genotype in professional field hockey players. Trends in Sport Sciences, 20(1), 36–40. https://www.infona.pl//resourc....
 
27.
Heffernan, S. M., Kilduff, L. P., Erskine, R. M., Day, S. H., McPhee, J. S., McMahon, G. E., Stebbings, G. K., Neale, J. P. H., Lockey, S. J., Ribbans, W. J., Cook, C. J., Vance, B., Raleigh, S. M., Roberts, C., Bennett, M. A., Wang, G., Collins, M., Pitsiladis, Y. P., & Williams, A. G. (2016). Association of ACTN3 R577X but not ACE I/D gene variants with elite rugby union player status and playing position. Physiological Genomics, 48(3), 196–201. https://doi.org/10.1152/physio....
 
28.
Humińska-Lisowska, K., Chmielowiec, K., Chmielowiec, J., Strońska-Pluta, A., Bojarczuk, A., Dzitkowska-Zabielska, M., Łubkowska, B., Spieszny, M., Surała, O., & Grzywacz, A. (2023). Association Between the rs4680 Polymorphism of the COMT Gene and Personality Traits among Combat Sports Athletes. Journal of Human Kinetics, 89, 89–99. https://doi.org/10.5114/jhk/16....
 
29.
Ipekoglu, G., Cetin, T., Apaydin, N., Calcali, T., & Senel, E. (2023). The Role of AGT, AMPD1, HIF1α, IL-6 Gene Polymorphisms in the Athletes’ Power Status : A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Human Kinetics, 89, 77–87. https://doi.org/10.5114/jhk/16....
 
30.
Jacob, Y., Hart, N. H., Cochrane, J. L., Spiteri, T., Laws, S. M., Jones, A., Rogalski, B., Kenna, J., & Anderton, R. S. (2022). ACTN3 (R577X) Genotype Is Associated With Australian Football League Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 36(2), 573–576. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.00....
 
31.
Jones, A., Montgomery, H. E., & Woods, D. R. (2002). Human performance : A role for the ACE genotype? Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 30(4), 184–190. https://doi.org/10.1097/000036....
 
32.
Jones, A., & Woods, D. R. (2003). Skeletal muscle RAS and exercise performance. The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 35(6), 855–866. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1357-....
 
33.
Kikuchi, N., Min, S., Ueda, D., Igawa, S., & Nakazato, K. (2012). Higher frequency of the ACTN3 R allele + ACE DD genotype in Japanese elite wrestlers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(12), 3275–3280. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b....
 
34.
Konopka, M. J., van den Bunder, J. C. M. L., Rietjens, G., Sperlich, B., & Zeegers, M. P. (2022). Genetics of long-distance runners and road cyclists-A systematic review with meta-analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 32(10), 1414–1429. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14....
 
35.
Kusnanik, N. W., Rahayu, Y. S., & Rattray, B. (2017). Physiological Demands of Playing Field Hockey Game at Sub Elite Players. IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 288 (2018) 012112 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/288/1/012112.
 
36.
Liu, Y., Leri, A., Li, B., Wang, X., Cheng, W., Kajstura, J., & Anversa, P. (1998). Angiotensin II Stimulation In Vitro Induces Hypertrophy of Normal and Postinfarcted Ventricular Myocytes. Circulation Research, 82(11), 1145–1159. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.RES....
 
37.
Ma, F., Yang, Y., Li, X., Zhou, F., Gao, C., Li, M., & Gao, L. (2013). The association of sport performance with ACE and ACTN3 genetic polymorphisms : A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS One, 8(1), e54685. https://doi.org/10.1371/journa....
 
38.
Nédélec, M., Halson, S., Delecroix, B., Abaidia, A.-E., Ahmaidi, S., & Dupont, G. (2015). Sleep Hygiene and Recovery Strategies in Elite Soccer Players. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 45(11), 1547–1559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279....
 
39.
Oh, S. D. (2007). The distribution of I/D polymorphism in the ACE gene among Korean male elite athletes. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 47(2), 250–254.
 
40.
Orysiak, J., Zmijewski, P., Klusiewicz, A., Kaliszewski, P., Malczewska-Lenczowska, J., Gajewski, J., & Pokrywka, A. (2013). The association between ace gene variation and aerobic capacity in winter endurance disciplines. Biology of Sport, 30(4), 249–253. https://doi.org/10.5604/208318....
 
41.
Papadimitriou, I. D., Lucia, A., Pitsiladis, Y. P., Pushkarev, V. P., Dyatlov, D. A., Orekhov, E. F., Artioli, G. G., Guilherme, J. P. L. F., Lancha, A. H., Ginevičienė, V., Cieszczyk, P., Maciejewska-Karlowska, A., Sawczuk, M., Muniesa, C. A., Kouvatsi, A., Massidda, M., Calò, C. M., Garton, F., Houweling, P. J., … Eynon, N. (2016). ACTN3 R577X and ACE I/D gene variants influence performance in elite sprinters : A multi-cohort study. BMC Genomics, 17(1), 285. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864....
 
42.
Pasqualetti, M., Onori, M. E., Canu, G., Moretti, G., Minucci, A., Baroni, S., Mordente, A., Urbani, A., & Galvani, C. (2022). The Relationship between ACE, ACTN3 and MCT1 Genetic Polymorphisms and Athletic Performance in Elite Rugby Union Players : A Preliminary Study. Genes, 13(6), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes1....
 
43.
Pickering, C., Kiely, J., Grgic, J., Lucia, A., & Del Coso, J. (2019). Can Genetic Testing Identify Talent for Sport? Genes, 10(12), 972. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes1....
 
44.
Reichert, L., Hacker, S., Mutz, M., Raab, M., Wiese, L., Krüger, K., & Zentgraf, K. (2025). How Much Can the Genotype Predict Phenotypical Power Performance in Elite Male and Female Athletes?. Journal of Human Kinetics, 95, 95–109. https://doi.org/10.5114/jhk/19....
 
45.
Rigat, B., Hubert, C., Alhenc-Gelas, F., Cambien, F., Corvol, P., & Soubrier, F. (1990). An insertion/deletion polymorphism in the angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene accounting for half the variance of serum enzyme levels. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 86(4), 1343–1346. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI114....
 
46.
Santoro, G. F., Mello, K. D. de, Oliveira, Z. C. de, Pfutzenreuter, G., Bassan, J. C., & Salgueirosa, F. de M. (2019). The Influence of Ace I/D Gene Polymorphism in Amateur American Football Athletes in Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Do Esporte, 25, 460–463. https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-8....
 
47.
Sayed-Tabatabaei, F. A., Oostra, B. A., Isaacs, A., van Duijn, C. M., & Witteman, J. C. M. (2006). ACE polymorphisms. Circulation Research, 98(9), 1123–1133. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.res....
 
48.
Scott, R. A., Irving, R., Irwin, L., Morrison, E., Charlton, V., Austin, K., Tladi, D., Deason, M., Headley, S. A., Kolkhorst, F. W., Yang, N., North, K., & Pitsiladis, Y. P. (2010). ACTN3 and ACE Genotypes in Elite Jamaican and US Sprinters. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 42(1), 107–112. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b....
 
49.
Scott, R. A., Moran, C., Wilson, R. H., Onywera, V., Boit, M. K., Goodwin, W. H., Gohlke, P., Payne, J., Montgomery, H., & Pitsiladis, Y. P. (2005). No association between Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) gene variation and endurance athlete status in Kenyans. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 141(2), 169–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpb....
 
50.
Semenova, E. A., Hall, E. C. R., & Ahmetov, I. I. (2023). Genes and Athletic Performance : The 2023 Update. Genes, 14(6), 1235. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes1....
 
51.
Shenoy, S., Tandon, S., Sandhu, J., & Bhanwer, A. S. (2010). Association of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme gene Polymorphism and Indian Army Triathletes Performance. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, 1(3), 143–150. https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.....
 
52.
Silva, H.-H., Silva, M.-R. G., Cerqueira, F., Tavares, V., & Medeiros, R. (2022). Genomic profile in association with sport-type, sex, ethnicity, psychological traits and sport injuries of elite athletes. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 62(3), 418–434. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022....
 
53.
Simonyte, S., Kuciene, R., Medzioniene, J., Dulskiene, V., & Lesauskaite, V. (2017). Renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphisms and high blood pressure in Lithuanian children and adolescents. BMC Medical Genetics, 18, 100. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12881....
 
54.
Tanisawa, K., Wang, G., Seto, J., Verdouka, I., Twycross-Lewis, R., Karanikolou, A., Tanaka, M., Borjesson, M., Di Luigi, L., Dohi, M., Wolfarth, B., Swart, J., Bilzon, J. L. J., Badtieva, V., Papadopoulou, T., Casasco, M., Geistlinger, M., Bachl, N., Pigozzi, F., & Pitsiladis, Y. (2020). Sport and exercise genomics : The FIMS 2019 consensus statement update. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(16), 969–975. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjspor....
 
55.
Tobina, T., Michishita, R., Yamasawa, F., Zhang, B., Sasaki, H., Tanaka, H., Saku, K., & Kiyonaga, A. (2010). Association between the angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and endurance running speed in Japanese runners. The Journal of Physiological Sciences: JPS, 60(5), 325–330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12576....
 
56.
Van Erp, T., & Sanders, D. (2021). Demands of professional cycling races : Influence of race category and result. European Journal of Sport Science, 21(5), 666–677. https://doi.org/10.1080/174613....
 
57.
van Erp, T., Kittel, M., & Lamberts, R. P. (2021). Sprint Tactics in the Tour de France : A Case Study of a World-Class Sprinter (Part II). International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(9), 1371–1377. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.....
 
58.
Wang, G., Mikami, E., Chiu, L.-L., DE Perini, A., Deason, M., Fuku, N., Miyachi, M., Kaneoka, K., Murakami, H., Tanaka, M., Hsieh, L.-L., Hsieh, S. S., Caporossi, D., Pigozzi, F., Hilley, A., Lee, R., Galloway, S. D. R., Gulbin, J., Rogozkin, V. A., … Pitsiladis, Y. P. (2013). Association analysis of ACE and ACTN3 in elite Caucasian and East Asian swimmers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 45(5), 892–900. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b....
 
59.
Williams, A. G., Day, S. H., Folland, J. P., Gohlke, P., Dhamrait, S., & Montgomery, H. E. (2005). Circulating angiotensin converting enzyme activity is correlated with muscle strength. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 37(6), 944–948.
 
60.
Woods, D. (2009). Angiotensin-converting enzyme, renin-angiotensin system and human performance. Medicine and Sport Science, 54, 72–87. https://doi.org/10.1159/000235....
 
61.
Woods, D., Hickman, M., Jamshidi, Y., Brull, D., Vassiliou, V., Jones, A., Humphries, S., & Montgomery, H. (2001). Elite swimmers and the D allele of the ACE I/D polymorphism. Human Genetics, 108(3), 230–232. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00439....
 
62.
Zhang, B., Tanaka, H., Shono, N., Miura, S., Kiyonaga, A., Shindo, M., & Saku, K. (2003). The I allele of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene is associated with an increased percentage of slow-twitch type I fibers in human skeletal muscle. Clinical Genetics, 63(2), 139–144. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1399....
 
63.
Zilberman-Schapira, G., Chen, J., & Gerstein, M. (2012). On sports and genes. Recent Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences, 6(3), 180–188. https://doi.org/10.2174/187221....
 
64.
Zouhal, H., Coso, J. D., Jayavel, A., Tourny, C., Ravé, G., Jebabli, N., Clark, C. C. T., Barthélémy, B., Hackney, A. C., & Abderrahman, A. B. (2021). Association between ACTN3 R577X genotype and risk of non-contact injury in trained athletes : A systematic review. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 12(3), 359–368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs....
 
eISSN:1899-7562
ISSN:1640-5544
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top