ACTN3 rs1815739, PPARA rs4253778 and IL-6 rs1800795 gene polymorphisms and aerobic performance in kickboxing athletes

Advances in Health and Exercise, cilt.6, sa.2, ss.57-63, 2026 (Hakemli Dergi)

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the ACTN3 rs1815739, PPARA rs4253778, and IL -6 rs1800795

gene polymorphisms and aerobic performance indicators—namely Yo-Yo IRT1 distance (m) and estimated

VO₂max (ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹)—between elite and sub-elite kickboxing athletes, and to identify which parameter best

differentiates performance levels. Methods: The study sample consisted of 30 voluntarily participating male

kickboxers. Genetic profiling and aerobic performance testing were conducted to obtain the data. Chi-square and

independent t-tests were utilized to evaluate group differences. Results: The analysis revealed no statistically

significant differences between elite and sub-elite athletes in terms of the ACTN3 rs1815739, PPARA rs4253778,

and IL -6 rs1800795 gene polymorphisms or the aerobic performance parameters (p > 0.05). Conclusion: ACTN3

rs1815739, PPARA rs4253778, and IL -6 rs1800795 gene polymorphisms, as well as the measured aerobic

parameters, do not appear to be distinguishing factors between elite and sub-elite kickboxing athletes in the

examined cohort. Future studies with larger sample sizes and additional genetic and performance-related

variables are recommended to better understand the determinants of athletic performance in this sport.