Elite athletes and the gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme

and Frank M. van Bockxmeer. Elite athletes and the gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme. J. Appl. Physiol. 87(3): 1035–1037, 1999.—The deletion (D) allele of the gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is associated with higher plasma and tissue levels of the enzyme and has also been related to a variety of cardiovascular complications, particularly myocardial infarction. On the basis of indirect evidence, we hypothesized that inheritance of the D allele would contribute to elite athletic ability. Over a period of 4 yr, 120 Caucasian athletes who were national (Australian) repre-sentatives in sports demanding a high level of aerobic fitness were recruited. Their ACE genotypes were compared with those of a community control group recruited randomly from the electoral roll. There was no difference in ACE genotype frequencies between the two groups. The DD genotype fre