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Cited by 81Genetics and Physical PerformanceMuscle Physiology and DisordersGenetic Associations and Epidemiology

Gene Polymorphisms and Fiber-Type Composition of Human Skeletal Muscle

Ahmetov, Ildus I., Vinogradova, Olga L., Williams, Alun G.·2012·International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
DOI 10.1123/ijsnem.22.4.292
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Abstract

The ability to perform aerobic or anaerobic exercise varies widely among individuals, partially depending on their muscle-fiber composition. Variability in the proportion of skeletal-muscle fiber types may also explain marked differences in aspects of certain chronic disease states including obesity, insulin resistance, and hypertension. In untrained individuals, the proportion of slow-twitch (Type I) fibers in the vastus lateralis muscle is typically around 50% (range 5–90%), and it is unusual for them to undergo conversion to fast-twitch fibers. It has been suggested that the genetic component for the observed variability in the proportion of Type I fibers in human muscles is on the order of 40–50%, indicating that muscle fiber-type composition is determined by both genotype and environment. This article briefly reviews current progress in the understanding of genetic determinism of fiber-type proportion in human skeletal muscle. Several polymorphisms of genes involved in the calcineurin–NFAT pathway, mitochondrial biogenesis, glucose and lipid metabolism, cytoskeletal function, hypoxia and angiogenesis, and circulatory homeostasis have been associated with fiber-type composition. As muscle is a major contributor to metabolism and physical strength and can readily adapt, it is not surprising that many of these gene variants have been associated with physical performance and athlete status, as well as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Genetic variants associated with fiber-type proportions have important implications for our understanding of muscle function in both health and disease.

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  • Type I fibers are considered endurance-oriented fibers, with a high capacity to resist fatigue but relatively low force-producing capacity.

    “For one, type I fibers are considered “endurance-oriented” fibers, with a high capacity to resist fatigue but relatively low force-producing capacity [53].”

    From Loading recommendations for muscle strength, hypertrophy, and local endurance: a re-examination of the repetition continuum. (2021) · cites this paper as [53]

    The Introduction (p. 3) says type I fibres resist fatigue and are suited to endurance performance. It also says type II fibres produce greater maximal power than type I fibres, but does not establish the claim’s more specific point about relatively low force-producing capacity. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Ahmetov, I. I., Vinogradova, O. L., & Williams, A. G.
Affiliations
Manchester Metropolitan University (GB)
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
Publisher
Human Kinetics
Published
2012-08
Volume
22
Issue
4
Pages
292-303
ISSN
  • 1526-484X (ISSN-L)
  • 1543-2742
DOI
10.1123/ijsnem.22.4.292
OpenAlex
W2150149704
Cited by
81
References
9
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Liverpool John Moores University (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Physical Performance
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
Keywords
skeletal muscle fiber type composition, genetic polymorphism, slow-twitch muscle, vastus lateralis, calcineurin-NFAT pathway, mitochondrial biogenesis, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, cytoskeletal function, cardiovascular homeostasis, physical performance, athlete status, exercise adaptation
MeSH terms
Hypoxia, Organelle Biogenesis, Body Composition, Cytoskeleton, Homeostasis, Humans, Polymorphism, Genetic, Signal Transduction, Muscle Fibers, Skeletal, Calcineurin, Angiogenesis Inducing Agents, Carbohydrate Metabolism, Lipid Metabolism, NFATC Transcription Factors, Athletes

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