A genetic variant in IL-15Rα correlates with physical activity among European-American adults.

Background: Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a myokine associated with muscle strength, possibly by attenuating protein breakdown. A variant in the alpha-receptor (IL-15Rα 1775 A>C, rs2228059) partially modulates the muscle strength and size response to resistance training. We examined if this polymorphism associated with habitual physical activity among European-American adults.