Angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype and physical performance during US Army basic training

Prior studies have suggested that angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gen otype correlates with superior physical performance in highly selected popu lations. This study assessed whether such an association exists in a hetero geneous population. Using polymerase chain reaction techniques, we determin ed the ACE genotypes (insertion/insertion, deletion/insertion, or deletion/ deletion) of 62 male and 85 female US Army recruits. Before and after 8 wk of basic training, we determined peak oxygen uptake and performance on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), which includes standardized measures of muscular endurance (sit-ups, push-ups) and a 2-mile run. Subjects of differ ent ACE genotypes had similar peak oxygen uptakes and APFT scores, both bef ore and after training. Subjects with genotype II had higher APFT scores th an others, but the differences were not statistically significant. Furtherm ore, no ACE genotype group had a performance advantage in analyses that adj usted for baseline fitness. We conclude that ACE genotype does not have a s trong effect on aerobic power or muscular endurance in healthy, young Ameri can adults drawn from an ethnically and geographically diverse population.