Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms Associated with Athletic Performance in Chinese Youth Soccer Players

Strategic Insights -

Research published in a recent study has revealed a link between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and athletic performance in Chinese youth soccer players. The study, conducted by researchers from Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D receptor gene variants (ApaI rs797523, BsmI rs1544410, and FokI rs2228570) and athletic performance in 142 male soccer players aged 13-15 years, divided into elite and sub-elite groups. The findings suggest that Chinese elite youth soccer players are more likely to possess the ApaI CC genotype and are less likely than sub-elite players to have the BsmI A alleles, and that the ApaI CC genotype is associated with better speed and explosive power.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study recruited 142 male soccer players, aged 13-15 years, divided into elite (73 players) and sub-elite (69 players) groups, as well as 107 controls (13- to 14-year-old students).
  • The researchers measured various physical parameters, including height, weight, speed, explosive power, anaerobic endurance, and aerobic endurance.
  • The study found that the genotype distributions of the ApaI, BsmI, and FokI in controls, elite, and sub-elite soccer players were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) results, except for the BsmI genotype distribution in controls.
  • The frequency of the BsmI AG genotype in controls and sub-elite players was significantly higher than in elite players, while the frequency of the FokI TT genotype in controls was significantly higher than in elite and sub-elite players.
  • The research concluded that Chinese elite youth soccer players are more likely to possess the ApaI CC genotype and are less likely than sub-elite players to have the BsmI A alleles.
  • The ApaI CC genotype was associated with better speed and explosive power among Chinese elite youth soccer players.

Statistics:

  • 142 male soccer players (73 from elite and 69 from sub-elite groups) and 107 controls (13- to 14-year-old students) were recruited for the study.
  • The study measured height, weight, speed, explosive power, anaerobic endurance, and aerobic endurance in both elite and sub-elite athletes.
  • The frequency of the BsmI AG genotype in controls was 42.4%, while in sub-elite players it was 39.1%, and in elite players it was 27.4%.
  • The frequency of the FokI TT genotype in controls was 14.0%, while in elite players it was 9.6%, and in sub-elite players it was 10.1%.
  • The study found a significant association between the ApaI CC genotype and better speed (p = 0.011) and explosive power (p = 0.034) among Chinese elite youth soccer players.

Sources:

  • Yang, S., Zhang, W., Jia, M., & Chen, H. (2025). Association between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and athletic performance in Chinese male youth soccer players. PeerJ, 13(), e19696. (PeerJ - https://peerj.com/). The publisher for PeerJ is PeerJ Inc. A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.7717/peerj.19696