ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana - Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2021 May;180(5):202-8

DOI: 10.23736/S0393-3660.20.04339-9

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Gz+ tolerance, body composition and ACTN-3 genotype of f-15/16 pilots

Seunghwan SHIN ✉

Department of Aero Fitness, Korea Air Force Academy, Cheongju, South Korea

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the association of f-15/16 pilots’ 9gz+ tolerance and body composition and the ACTN-3 genotype towards their safe task performance and cadet education.
METHODS: The subjects were Korean f-15/16 pilots (N.=57, age 27.6-39.9 years). Body composition measurements, gz+ test (9 G/15 s), and target gene (ACTN-3) identification process were analyzed.
RESULTS: The gz+ tolerance, body composition along with the relationship of the ACTN-3 genotype were determined. The gz+ tolerance in relation to the ACTN-3 genotype (RR>RX) in 57 pilots and the correlations between gz+ tolerance and the body composition parameters, i.e., muscle mass and BMR, for 40 pilots in their 30’s were statistically significant (P=0.037 and 0.042, respectively), but not for 17 pilots in their 20’s.
CONCLUSIONS: Most of the Korean f-15/16 pilots displayed the dominant fast ACTN-3 genotypes (RR and RX [N.=42, 74%] > XX [N.=15, 26%]). The results suggest that the effect of genes (ACTN-3 genotype (RR>RX)) on 9gz+ tolerance is dependent on muscle mass, BMR, and age, but more genes (such as ACE and BDKRB2) need to be analyzed for reliable conclusions to be made. RX’ subjects were found to have the weakest gz+ tolerance and highest visceral fat (%). Body weight and muscle mass (means 11.6 kg and 4.3 kg, respectively) reductions in XX subjects in their 20s need to be considered for selection, in terms of weight control of future Korean astronauts on long term aerospace mission.

KEY WORDS: Pilots; Human ACTN3 protein; Acceleration; Body composition