Association between basketball playing position and ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in athletes of first division Brazilian Basketball League.

Introduction: Genetic-association studies have shown that some polymorphisms are associated with different aspects of athletic performance, including very specific features, such as players' position in team sports, like soccer, rugby, and Australian football. However, this type of association has not been investigated in Basketball yet. The present study analyzed the association of ACTN3 R577X, AGT M268T, ACE I/D and BDKRB2+9/-9 polymorphisms with the position of basketball players.

Increased basal plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in sprint runners.

Objective: Exercise is known to enhance circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in healthy humans. BDNF changes have been measured in endurance but not in strength exercise. The present study aimed to investigate whether anaerobic activity such as sprinting differentially alters basal plasma BDNF concentration.

Acute strength exercise and the involvement of small or large muscle mass on plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels.

Objective: Blood neurotrophins, such as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, are considered to be of great importance in mediating the benefits of physical exercise. In this study, the effect of acute strength exercise and the involvement of small versus large muscle mass on the levels of plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor were evaluated in healthy individuals.

Methods: The concentric strengths of knee (large) and elbow (small) flexor and extensor muscles were measured on two separate days.