A Pilot Study on the Correlation Between Psychometric Traits and ADRA2A rs1800544 Polymorphism in Fencing Athletes

TL;DR

This study explores how a specific gene variant in fencing athletes relates to their mental traits, but finds no significant differences compared to non-athletes.

Contribution

The study investigates the ADRA2A rs1800544 polymorphism in fencing athletes and its potential link to psychometric traits for the first time.

Findings

Fencing athletes showed 43% CG and 57% CC genotypes for ADRA2A rs1800544, with no GG genotype detected.

No statistically significant difference in genotype distribution was found between fencing athletes and sedentary controls.

C allele was more common than G allele in both groups.

Abstract

Background: The aim of our study is to determine the genotype distribution of ADRA2A rs1800544 gene polymorphism in fencing athletes and to compare the results with the sedentary control group. In addition, we intend to compare these genotype results with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and Sports Injury Anxiety Scale (SIAS) applied to the fencing group. Methods: Buccal epithelial cells were collected from 14 volunteer fencing athletes and 22 sedentary individuals who participated in the study and DNA was isolated. ADRA2A rs1800544 polymorphism was analyzed using Real-Time PCR. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 software. Results: In the study, ADRA2A rs1800544 polymorphism was examined and 43% CG genotype, 57% CC genotype was found in fencers, and GG genotype was not detected. In the sedentary control group, 36.4% CC genotype, 45.5% CG genotype, and 18.1% GG genotype were detected; in both groups, C allele was found at a higher percentage than G allele. Although there were differences in the percentages of genotypes in the study and control groups, no statistically significant difference was found. Conclusions: The results obtained in our study reveal genotype distributions in line with the literature on ADRA2A rs1800544 gene region. Since fencing is a sport that requires attention and concentration, the distribution of gene regions associated with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder is important. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of genotype distributions in fencing athletes; however, given the study’s limitations, such as the small sample size, lack of psychological assessment methods, and absence of noradrenaline level measurement, further research is needed before these findings can be considered for the development of personalized training programs based on ADRA2A rs1800544 polymorphism.

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