Genetic Variation of Maximal Velocity and EMG Activity

Introduction

Neuromuscular performance is an essential element of health, fitness, occupational work and competitive sports. However, an interindivindual variability is observed for most biological attributes associated with neuromuscular performance and the question arises to what extent genes and environment contribute to this variability.

Based on the twin model and the comparison of intrapair differences between monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins, heritability estimates (h²) can be derived that signify the amount of phenotypic variance related to genetic differences [[19]]. Several investigators have used this approach and reported moderate to high h² for traits of interest to exercise physiology, related to neuromuscular performance, such as maximal muscle strength [[32]], neuromuscular coordination [[25]], muscle fiber distribution [[21]], nerve conduction velocity [[20], [28]], and motor skill acquisition [[12], [30]]. Other investigators have applied to the twin model and nuclear family data, the path analysis, which separates the variance attributable to non-shared from shared environmental effects and reported h² for muscularity [[23], [32]], shuttle run and balance [[24]].

Although maximal velocity and EMG activity are decisive parameters during maximal effort, paradoxically, studies on genetic variation of these essential components of neuromuscular performance are scarce. Until now, no study has reported heritability with respect to maximal velocity in a simple movement of a single joint, and only one assessed the relative genetic component in EMG activity during maximal effort [[20]]. Single joint movements facilitate the measurement of the limb under investigation and improve the quality of the data obtained [[1]], whereas tasks used in previous studies were based on less constrained movements that involved other biological and behavioral traits and required a more sophisticated measurement apparatus [[14]].

Exploring the genetic-environmental interplay of physical fitness and conditioning parameters entails significance from theoretical as well as practical point of view, since such traits are basic characteristics of human performance. Determination of heritability could provide an insight in the variation observed in performance of outstanding athletes, and people who require a high phenotype in motor skills such as musicians, dancers, surgeons, and pilots. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the relative power of genetic and environmental contribution to the variation observed in maximal speed movement velocity of a single joint and EMG activity during maximal isometric contraction by comparing intrapair differences between MZ and DZ twins.

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