ArticleBMC genetics2017
Fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene influences skeletal muscle phenotypes in non-resistance trained males and elite rugby playing position.
Article in BMC genetics, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
24 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 35 citations in OpenAlex.
- Candidate gene polymorphisms and power athlete status: a meta-analytical approach.Journal of physiology and biochemistry · 2025Pooled it
- Replication of FTO Gene associated with lean mass in a Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies.Scientific reports · 2020Pooled it
- Decoding endurance performance: integrative genomic and epigenetic insights into the molecular basis of athletic adaptation.Frontiers in systems biology · 2026Review
- Influence of genetic polymorphism on sports talent performance versus non-athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation · 2024Article
- Genes Involved in Susceptibility to Obesity and Emotional Eating Behavior in a Romanian Population.Nutrients · 2024Article
- Sarcopenia as a Risk Factor for Alzheimer's Disease: Genetic and Epigenetic Perspectives.Genes · 2024Review
- Gene polymorphisms associated with heterogeneity and senescence characteristics of sarcopenia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle · 2023Article
- Lean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and sarcopenia.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2023Review
- Polygenic Models Partially Predict Muscle Size and Strength but Not Low Muscle Mass in Older Women.Genes · 2022Article
- The Influence ofInternational journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Article
- Unveiling genetic variants for age-related sarcopenia by conducting a genome-wide association study on Korean cohorts.Scientific reports · 2022Article
- MiRNA-based "fitness score" to assess the individual response to diet, metabolism, and exercise.Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2022Article
- Sarcopenia, Obesity, and Sarcopenic Obesity: Relationship with Skeletal Muscle Phenotypes and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms.Journal of clinical medicine · 2021Article
- The association between sarcopenia susceptibility and polymorphisms of FTO, ACVR2B, and IRS1 in Tibetans.Molecular genetics & genomic medicine · 2021Article
- Association between theGenes · 2021Article
- The Association of Multiple Gene Variants with Ageing Skeletal Muscle Phenotypes in Elderly Women.Genes · 2020Article
- Associations of combined genetic and epigenetic scores with muscle size and muscle strength: a pilot study in older women.Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle · 2020Article
- The FTO gene polymorphism rs9939609 is associated with obesity and disability in multiple sclerosis patients.Scientific reports · 2019Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
17 authors at 10 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundFTO gene variants have been associated with obesity phenotypes in sedentary and obese populations, but rarely with skeletal muscle and elite athlete phenotypes.
methodsIn 1089 participants, comprising 530 elite rugby athletes and 559 non-athletes, DNA was collected and genotyped for the FTO rs9939609 variant using real-time PCR. In a subgroup of non-resistance trained individuals (NT; n = 120), we also assessed structural and functional skeletal muscle phenotypes using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, ultrasound and isokinetic dynamometry. In a subgroup of rugby athletes (n = 77), we assessed muscle power during a countermovement jump.
resultsIn NT, TT genotype and T allele carriers had greater total body (4.8% and 4.1%) and total appendicular lean mass (LM; 3.0% and 2.1%) compared to AA genotype, with greater arm LM (0.8%) in T allele carriers and leg LM (2.1%) for TT, compared to AA genotype. Furthermore, the T allele was more common (94%) in selected elite rugby union athletes (back three and centre players) who are most reliant on LM rather than total body mass for success, compared to other rugby athletes (82%; P = 0.01, OR = 3.34) and controls (84%; P = 0.03, OR = 2.88). Accordingly, these athletes had greater peak power relative to body mass than other rugby athletes (14%; P = 2 x 10
conclusionCollectively, these results suggest that the T allele is associated with increased LM and elite athletic success. This has implications for athletic populations, as well as conditions characterised by low LM such as sarcopenia and cachexia.
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