Trends in mortality from cardiovascular diseases in Chile, 2000-2020.

Objective: To analyze trends in mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Chile during the period 2000-2020. Methods: Data on age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) from CVD per 100 000 population in Chile for 2000-2020 were extracted from the World Health Organization Mortality Database. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze the trends and compute the average annual percent change (AAPC) in Chile. In addition, analyses were conducted by sex and type of CVD. Results: Between 2000 and 2020, the AAMR from CVD decreased in Chile from 159.5 to 94.6 per 100 000 population, with a statistically significant decrease in the AAPC of 2.6% (95% CI [-2.8, -2.4]). No joinpoints were identified. The AAMR from CVD decreased annually by 2.6% (95% CI [-2.8, -2.4]) and 2.8% (95% CI [-3.5, -2.6]) in men and women, respectively. The AAMR from ischemic heart disease reduced annually by 3.6% (95% CI [-4.6, -2.7]) with two joinpoints in 2011 and 2015. In the case of stroke, the mortality rate decreased annually by 3.7% (95% CI [-4.5, -3.0]), with two joinpoints in 2008 and 2011. Conclusions: Cardiovascular disease mortality rates have decreased significantly in Chile, in both sexes, especially in women. This decrease could be explained mainly by a significant reduction in the case fatality in recent decades. These results could be a reference for developing primary prevention and acute management of CVD policies focused on populations with higher mortality.

Trends in mortality from cardiovascular diseases in Chile, 2000–2020 / Tendencias de la mortalidad por enfermedades cardiovasculares en Chile, 2000-2020 / Tendências de mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares no Chile, 2000-2020

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To analyze trends in mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Chile during the period 2000–2020. Methods. Data on age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) from CVD per 100 000 population in Chile for 2000– 2020 were extracted from the World Health Organization Mortality Database. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze the trends and compute the average annual percent change (AAPC) in Chile. In addition, analyses were conducted by sex and type of CVD. Results. Between 2000 and 2020, the AAMR from CVD decreased in Chile from 159.5 to 94.6 per 100 000 population, with a statistically significant decrease in the AAPC of 2.6% (95% CI [–2.8, –2.4]). No joinpoints were identified. The AAMR from CVD decreased annually by 2.6% (95% CI [–2.8, –2.4]) and 2.8% (95% CI [–3.5, –2.6]) in men and women, respectively. The AAMR from ischemic heart disease reduced annually by 3.6% (95% CI [–4.6, –2.7]) with two joinpoints in 2011 and 2015. In the case of stroke, the mortality rate decreased annually by 3.7% (95% CI [–4.5, –3.0]), with two joinpoints in 2008 and 2011. Conclusions. Cardiovascular disease mortality rates have decreased significantly in Chile, in both sexes, especially in women. This decrease could be explained mainly by a significant reduction in the case fatality in recent decades. These results could be a reference for developing primary prevention and acute management of CVD policies focused on populations with higher mortality.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Analizar las tendencias de la mortalidad por enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) en Chile durante el período 2000-2020. Métodos. Los datos sobre la tasa de mortalidad ajustada por la edad (TMAE) por ECV por 100 000 habitantes en Chile durante el período 2000-2020 se extrajeron de la base de datos de mortalidad de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se utilizó la regresión de tipo joinpoint (punto de cambio) para analizar las tendencias y calcular el cambio porcentual anual promedio (CPAP) en Chile. Además, se realizaron análisis por sexo y por tipo de ECV. Resultados. Entre el 2000 y el 2020, la TMAE por ECV disminuyó en Chile de 159,5 a 94,6 por 100 000 habi- tantes, con una disminución del CPAP estadísticamente significativa del 2,6% (IC del 95% [-2,8 a -2,4]). No se detectó ningún punto de cambio (joinpoint). La TMAE por ECV disminuyó anualmente un 2,6% (IC del 95% [-2,8 a -2,4]) en los hombres y un 2,8% (IC del 95% [-3,5 a -2,6]) en las mujeres. La TMAE por cardiopatía isquémica se redujo anualmente en un 3,6 % (IC del 95 % [-4,6 a -2,7]), encontrándose dos puntos de cambio en el 2011 y el 2015. En el caso de los ataques cerebrovasculares, la tasa de mortalidad disminuyó anual- mente un 3,7% (IC del 95% [-4,5 a -3,0]), encontrándose dos puntos de cambio en el 2008 y el 2011. Conclusiones. La tasa de mortalidad por ECV ha disminuido significativamente en Chile en ambos sexos, pero en especial en las mujeres. Este descenso podría explicarse principalmente por la reducción significa- tiva de la letalidad observada en las últimas décadas. Estos resultados podrían constituir una referencia para la elaboración de políticas de prevención primaria y manejo de casos agudos de ECV que estén centradas en aquellos grupos poblacionales donde la mortalidad es más alta.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Analisar as tendências de mortalidade causada por doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) no Chile no período de 2000 a 2020. Métodos. Taxas de mortalidade por DCV ajustadas por idade no Chile referentes ao período de 2000 a 2020 foram extraídas do Banco de Dados de Mortalidade da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Foi usado um modelo de regressão linear segmentada (joinpoint) para analisar tendências e calcular a variação percentual média anual no Chile. Além disso, foram realizadas análises por sexo e tipo de DCV. Resultados. No Chile, entre 2000 e 2020, a taxa de mortalidade por DCV ajustada por idade caiu de 159,5 para 94,6 por 100 mil habitantes, com uma redução estatisticamente significante da variação percentual média anual de 2,6% (IC de 95% [-2,8; -2,4]). Não foram identificados pontos de inflexão. Anualmente, a taxa de mortalidade por DCV ajustada por idade caiu 2,6% (IC 95% [-2,8; -2,4]) e 2,8% (IC 95% [-3,5; -2,6]) entre homens e mulheres, respectivamente. A taxa de mortalidade por doença cardíaca isquêmica ajustada por idade caiu 3,6% (95% CI [-4,6; -2,7]) por ano, com dois pontos de inflexão (em 2011 e 2015). No caso do acidente vascular cerebral, a taxa de mortalidade diminuiu 3,7% (IC de 95% [-4,5; -3,0]) por ano, com dois pontos de inflexão (em 2008 e 2011). Conclusões. As taxas de mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares diminuíram significativamente no Chile em ambos os sexos, especialmente nas mulheres. Essa queda pode ser explicada principalmente por uma redução significativa na letalidade observada nas últimas décadas. Esses resultados podem ser uma referên- cia para o desenvolvimento de políticas de prevenção primária e manejo de casos agudos de DCV voltadas para populações com maiores taxas de mortalidade.

Validity and reliability of the international physical activity questionnaire short form in Chilean adults.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) in Chilean adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional validation study was carried out on 161 adults aged between 35 and 65, selected from a population-based study in Temuco, Chile. IPAQ-SF was completed twice, seven days apart, to analyze the test-retest reliability with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Objective PA was assessed by accelerometry (ActiGraph GT3X+) for seven consecutive days. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to determine the reliability. Spearman correlation coefficients (rho) and Bland-Altman plots were calculated to assess validity. RESULTS: 144 subjects (52.5 ± 8.8 years, 53.9% men) answered the IPAQ-SF on both occasions and had valid accelerometry data. The IPAQ-SF showed moderate reliability for sitting time (ICC = 0.62), while it was poor for walking (ICC = 0.40), moderate PA (ICC = 0.41), vigorous PA (ICC = 0.48), and total PA (ICC = 0.33). There were weak correlations between IPAQ-SF and accelerometry for sedentary behavior (rho = 0.28, p = 0.0005), walking (rho = 0.11, p = 0.17), moderate PA (rho = 0.13, p = 0.128), vigorous PA (rho = 0.18, p = 0.03), and total PA (rho = 0.26, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the IPAQ-SF test and retest would provide an acceptable measure of total SB and MVPA, and a weak correlation between IPAQ-SF and accelerometer.

Association of screen time and physical activity with health-related quality of life in college students.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between screen time and physical activity with quality of life among Chilean university students. METHODS: Cross-sectional and analytical study conducted on 726 first-year university students who replied three questionnaires: Youth Risk Behavior Survey, WHO Quality of Life-BREF scale, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS: There were differences in overall quality of life (p < .001) and level of satisfaction in health (p < .01) according to screen exposure time. These results follow a linear trend for all the quality of life domains (p < .01), and they indicate that there is an inverse association between screen time and quality of life. CONCLUSION: There is an inverse association between screen time and quality of life in university students. Students with a longer screen exposure time showed a lower quality of life, specifically in the domains of social relationships and psychological health, regardless of sex, physical activity, or socioeconomic level.

Trends in mortality from cardiovascular diseases in Chile, 2000-2020 / Tendencias de la mortalidad por enfermedades cardiovasculares en Chile, 2000-2020 / Tendências de mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares no Chile, 2000-2020

ABSTRACT Objective. To analyze trends in mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Chile during the period 2000-2020. Methods. Data on age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) from CVD per 100 000 population in Chile for 2000-2020 were extracted from the World Health Organization Mortality Database. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze the trends and compute the average annual percent change (AAPC) in Chile. In addition, analyses were conducted by sex and type of CVD. Results. Between 2000 and 2020, the AAMR from CVD decreased in Chile from 159.5 to 94.6 per 100 000 population, with a statistically significant decrease in the AAPC of 2.6% (95% CI [-2.8, -2.4]). No joinpoints were identified. The AAMR from CVD decreased annually by 2.6% (95% CI [-2.8, -2.4]) and 2.8% (95% CI [-3.5, -2.6]) in men and women, respectively. The AAMR from ischemic heart disease reduced annually by 3.6% (95% CI [-4.6, -2.7]) with two joinpoints in 2011 and 2015. In the case of stroke, the mortality rate decreased annually by 3.7% (95% CI [-4.5, -3.0]), with two joinpoints in 2008 and 2011. Conclusions. Cardiovascular disease mortality rates have decreased significantly in Chile, in both sexes, especially in women. This decrease could be explained mainly by a significant reduction in the case fatality in recent decades. These results could be a reference for developing primary prevention and acute management of CVD policies focused on populations with higher mortality.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Analizar las tendencias de la mortalidad por enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) en Chile durante el período 2000-2020. Métodos. Los datos sobre la tasa de mortalidad ajustada por la edad (TMAE) por ECV por 100 000 habitantes en Chile durante el período 2000-2020 se extrajeron de la base de datos de mortalidad de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se utilizó la regresión de tipo joinpoint (punto de cambio) para analizar las tendencias y calcular el cambio porcentual anual promedio (CPAP) en Chile. Además, se realizaron análisis por sexo y por tipo de ECV. Resultados. Entre el 2000 y el 2020, la TMAE por ECV disminuyó en Chile de 159,5 a 94,6 por 100 000 habitantes, con una disminución del CPAP estadísticamente significativa del 2,6% (IC del 95% [-2,8 a -2,4]). No se detectó ningún punto de cambio (joinpoint). La TMAE por ECV disminuyó anualmente un 2,6% (IC del 95% [-2,8 a -2,4]) en los hombres y un 2,8% (IC del 95% [-3,5 a -2,6]) en las mujeres. La TMAE por cardiopatía isquémica se redujo anualmente en un 3,6 % (IC del 95 % [-4,6 a -2,7]), encontrándose dos puntos de cambio en el 2011 y el 2015. En el caso de los ataques cerebrovasculares, la tasa de mortalidad disminuyó anualmente un 3,7% (IC del 95% [-4,5 a -3,0]), encontrándose dos puntos de cambio en el 2008 y el 2011. Conclusiones. La tasa de mortalidad por ECV ha disminuido significativamente en Chile en ambos sexos, pero en especial en las mujeres. Este descenso podría explicarse principalmente por la reducción significativa de la letalidad observada en las últimas décadas. Estos resultados podrían constituir una referencia para la elaboración de políticas de prevención primaria y manejo de casos agudos de ECV que estén centradas en aquellos grupos poblacionales donde la mortalidad es más alta.

RESUMO Objetivo. Analisar as tendências de mortalidade causada por doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) no Chile no período de 2000 a 2020. Métodos. Taxas de mortalidade por DCV ajustadas por idade no Chile referentes ao período de 2000 a 2020 foram extraídas do Banco de Dados de Mortalidade da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Foi usado um modelo de regressão linear segmentada (joinpoint) para analisar tendências e calcular a variação percentual média anual no Chile. Além disso, foram realizadas análises por sexo e tipo de DCV. Resultados. No Chile, entre 2000 e 2020, a taxa de mortalidade por DCV ajustada por idade caiu de 159,5 para 94,6 por 100 mil habitantes, com uma redução estatisticamente significante da variação percentual média anual de 2,6% (IC de 95% [-2,8; -2,4]). Não foram identificados pontos de inflexão. Anualmente, a taxa de mortalidade por DCV ajustada por idade caiu 2,6% (IC 95% [-2,8; -2,4]) e 2,8% (IC 95% [-3,5; -2,6]) entre homens e mulheres, respectivamente. A taxa de mortalidade por doença cardíaca isquêmica ajustada por idade caiu 3,6% (95% CI [-4,6; -2,7]) por ano, com dois pontos de inflexão (em 2011 e 2015). No caso do acidente vascular cerebral, a taxa de mortalidade diminuiu 3,7% (IC de 95% [-4,5; -3,0]) por ano, com dois pontos de inflexão (em 2008 e 2011). Conclusões. As taxas de mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares diminuíram significativamente no Chile em ambos os sexos, especialmente nas mulheres. Essa queda pode ser explicada principalmente por uma redução significativa na letalidade observada nas últimas décadas. Esses resultados podem ser uma referência para o desenvolvimento de políticas de prevenção primária e manejo de casos agudos de DCV voltadas para populações com maiores taxas de mortalidade.

Effects of Four Lipid Metabolism-Related Polymorphisms on Body Composition Improvements After 12 Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training and Dietary Energy Restriction in Overweight/Obese Adult Women: A Pilot Study.

Background: Polymorphisms in lipid metabolism-related genes have been associated with obesity and body composition, but these have been scarcely described concerning the magnitude of the response to exercise interventions in the overweight/obese population. Objective: To evaluate the association of perilipin 1 (PLIN1; rs1052700 and rs2304795), lipoprotein lipase (rs283), and adrenoceptor beta 3 (rs4994) polymorphisms with high and low responders (LoRes) to fat mass reduction after 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and dietary energy restriction in overweight/obese adult women. In addition, we examined the effect of these genetic variants on body composition changes. Methods: Forty-three unrelated overweight/obese adult women were incorporated and genotyped, of which 30 women (age = 27.4 ± 7.9 years; BMI = 29.9 ± 3.3 kg/m2) successfully completed the 12-week supervised HIIT program plus an individually prescribed home hypocaloric diet. Results: An association was observed between the PLIN1 rs1052700 polymorphism with high and LoRes (χ 2 = 8.138; 2 df; p = 0.01). Moreover, after the intervention, the carriers of TT genotype of PLIN1 rs1052700 as compared to AA and AT showed a greater reduction in absolute fat mass (Δ: -5.1 ± 1.8 vs. - 1.8 ± 1.4 vs. - 2.1 ± 2.3 kg; p = 0.04). The effect size of this fat mass reduction between TT and AT genotypes was a mean difference of -3.01 kg [95%IC - 4.88- - 1.1], and between TT and AA genotypes was -3.29 kg [95%IC - 4.86- - 1.65]. No differences were observed for other polymorphisms investigated. Conclusion: These results suggest that the rs1052700 (14995A>T) polymorphism of the PLIN1 gene is associated with a differential response to fat mass reduction after a 12-week intervention in overweight/obese adult women. In addition, women with the TT genotype of this genetic variant showed greater changes in fat mass than AA and AT genotypes. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Physiological Effects and Inter-Individual Variability to 12 Weeks of High Intensity-Interval Training and Dietary Energy Restriction in Overweight/Obese Adult Women.

Background: Human adaptive response to exercise interventions is often described as group average and SD to represent the typical response for most individuals, but studies reporting individual responses to exercise show a wide range of responses. Objective: To characterize the physiological effects and inter-individual variability on fat mass and other health-related and physical performance outcomes after 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and dietary energy restriction in overweight/obese adult women. Methods: Thirty untrained adult overweight and obese women (age = 27.4 ± 7.9 years; BMI = 29.9 ± 3.3 kg/m2) successfully completed a 12-week supervised HIIT program and an individually prescribed home hypocaloric diet (75% of daily energy requirements) throughout the whole intervention. High and low responders to the intervention were those individuals who were able to lose ≥ 10 and < 10% of initial absolute fat mass (i.e., kilograms), respectively. Results: The prevalence for high and low responders was 33% (n = 11) and 66% (n = 19), respectively. At the whole group level, the intervention was effective to reduce the absolute fat mass (30.9 ± 7.2 vs. 28.5 ± 7.2 kg; p < 0.0001), body fat percentage (39.8 ± 4.3 vs. 37.8 ± 4.9%; p < 0.0001), and total body mass (76.7 ± 10.1 vs. 74.4 ± 9.9 kg; p < 0.0001). In addition, there were improvements in systolic blood pressure (SBP; Δ% = -5.1%), diastolic blood pressure (DBP; Δ% = -6.4%), absolute VO2peak (Δ% = +14.0%), relative VO2peak (Δ% = +13.8%), peak power output (PPO; Δ% = +19.8%), anaerobic threshold (AT; Δ% = +16.7%), maximal ventilation (VE; Δ% = +14.1%), and peak oxygen pulse (O2 pulse; Δ% = +10.4%). However, at the individual level, a wide range of effects were appreciated on all variables, and the magnitude of the fat mass changes did not correlate with baseline body mass or fat mass. Conclusion: A 12-week supervised HIIT program added to a slight dietary energy restriction effectively improved fat mass, body mass, blood pressure, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). However, a wide range of inter-individual variability was observed in the adaptative response to the intervention. Furthermore, subjects classified as low responders for fat mass reduction could be high responders (HiRes) in many other health-related and physical performance outcomes. Thus, the beneficial effects of exercise in obese and overweight women go further beyond the adaptive response to a single outcome variable such as fat mass or total body mass reduction.

Pre-existing conditions in Latin America and factors associated with adverse outcomes of COVID-19: A review.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, produced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread rapidly throughout the world. Latin American and the Caribbean countries have been harshly affected by the pandemic mainly due to less prepared healthcare systems and fragmented social safety nets. In the region, health status population-based indicators are worse than compared to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Recent evidence suggests that the progression and severity of COVID-19 are associated with the prior health status of individuals, and studies have shown that the case fatality rate is highly stratified among different populations. This narrative review aims to describe factors associated with adverse outcomes of COVID-19 in the context of social determinants of health in Latin American and Caribbean countries. In this review, we state that genetic and biological factors interact in a sophisticated way with social determinants of health, impacting the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Behavioral factors, such as physical inactivity, smoking, and unhealthy diets, are related to chronic systemic inflammation. Also, air pollution can prolong inflammation and the hyper-activation of the immune system. Air pollutants could facilitate the spread of the virus. Finally, frailty and comorbidities can be associated with COVID-19 severity through increasing vulnerability to stressors and leading to more severe symptoms of COVID-19 disease, including a higher mortality risk. All these factors contribute to increasing the impact of COVID-19 in Latin American and Caribbean countries. We highlight the relevance of considering social determinants of health in Latin American and the Caribbean countries, not only in controlling the likelihood of getting the disease but also its progression and severity. All these social determinants can guide the design and implementation of tailored interventions promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors, which should lower the spread of the disease, its severity, and lethality.

La pandemia de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), producida por el virus SARS-CoV-2, se ha diseminado rápidamente a través del mundo. Los países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe han sido afectados duramente por la pandemia principalmente debido a falta de preparación de sus sistemas de salud y debido al fragmentado sistema de seguridad social. Además, en la región, el estado de salud de la población muestra peores indicadores de salud comparado con los países de la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económico. Evidencia reciente sugiere que la progresión y severidad de la COVID-19 están asociadas con el estado de salud basal del individuo, y algunos estudios han mostrado que la letalidad está altamente estratificada entre diferentes poblaciones. El objetivo de esta revisión narrativa es describir los factores asociados con peor evolución de la COVID-19 en el contexto de los determinantes sociales de la salud en los países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe. En esta revisión, se indica que los factores biológicos y genéticos interactúan de una manera sofisticada con los determinantes sociales de la salud, impactando la rápida diseminación de la COVID-19 en los países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Factores del comportamiento, como la inactividad física, fumar, y una dieta poco saludable, están relacionadas con una inflamación sistémica crónica. Además, la contaminación ambiental puede prolonger la inflamación y la hiperactivación del sistema inmune. Las partículas contaminantes del aire pueden facilitar la dispersión del virus. Finalmente, el síndrome de fragilidad y las comorbilidades están asociadas con severidad de la COVID-19, aumentando la vulnerabilidad ante factores estresantes y provocando síntomas más graves de la enfermedad COVID-19, aumentando el riesgo de mortalidad. Todos los factores mencionados, contribuyen a aumentar el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en los países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Destacamos la relevancia de considerar los determinantes sociales de la salud en los países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe, no sólo para controlar el riesgo de contagio, sino también la progresión y severidad de la enfermedad. Los determinantes sociales pueden guiar el diseño y la implementación de intervenciones para promover los estilos de vida saludable, que puede contribuir a reducir la diseminación de la enfermedad, su severidad y letalidad.

Heart Rate During an Exercise Test and Acute High-intensity Interval Training in Type 2 Diabetes.

To describe and compare the acute heart rate changes during an incremental exercise test and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in subjects of different glucose control. Seventy-five adults were allocated into three groups: Normoglycaemic (NG, n=32), Pre- (PreT2D, n=30) and Type 2 diabetic (T2D, n=13) subjects. Subjects performed an incremental cycling test to determine cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), maximum heart rate (HRmax) and HR recovery post maximal effort, as well as a HIIT cycling session. HR variations are reported as HR pre (HR-preINT), and post interval (HR-postINT), percentage of maximum HR (%HRmax), delta of HR increased (∆HRINT), and delta HR recovery after each interval (∆HRR). By groups, there was a significant difference for the %HRmax in 1st and 2nd, but not in intervals 3rd to 10th between Pre-T2D and T2D groups. There were significant differences for the %HRmax in 1st to 2nd intervals between Pre-T2D and T2D groups. Significant (P<0.05) differences at some intervals were found for ΔHRINT, and ΔHRR. These findings suggest that the HR during an incremental exercise test, and from a typical 10-intervals based HIIT protocol could be used as an intensity marker for individuals independent of their glycaemic control.

Polimorfismo genético ACTN3 R577X en deportistas universitarios chilenos / ACTN3 R577X gene polymorphism in Chilean college athletes

Uno de los principales factores genéticos que influenciarían el rendimiento muscular humano es el gen ACTN3, que codifica la proteína estructural del sarcómero α-actinina-3. El polimorfismo R577X (rs1815739) del gen ACTN3 ha sido asociado con varios indicadores de rendimiento muscular y físico en deportistas y población general, pero este fenómeno ha sido escasamente descrito en poblaciones de Latinoamérica y Chile. Por lo tanto, el objetivo del presente estudio fue describir la frecuencia genotípica y distribución alélica de los genotipos de ACTN3 R577X en deportistas universitarios chilenos. 129 deportistas universitarios chilenos representantes de diferentes selecciones deportivas (halterofilia, balonmano, voleibol, rugby, basquetbol, futbol y futsal) participaron como voluntarios. Los análisis moleculares del polimorfismo R577X del gen ACTN3 fueron realizados mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) y restricción enzimática (RFLP). La distribución de genotipos del polimorfismo ACTN3 R577X fue RR: 34,8 % (n=45), RX: 50,4 % (n=65), XX: 14,7 % (n=19), y la frecuencia relativa de alelos fue R: 0,601 y X: 0,399. Además, se encontró asociación entre distribución de genotipos (c2= 12,26; 2 gl; p=0,002) y frecuencia relativa de alelos (c2= 11.02; 1 gl; p=0.0009) con el sexo de los participantes. Sin embargo, no hubo asociación al realizar análisis por tipo de deporte practicado. Los hallazgos de la presente investigación sugieren que el polimorfismo R577X del gen ACTN3 está asociado con el sexo en deportistas universitarios chilenos. Además, estos resultados describen de forma inédita la distribución genotípica y frecuencia alélica de esta variante genética en población chilena, mostrando una distribución similar a otros estudios realizados en poblaciones de deportistas en Brasil, Rusia, Estados Unidos y Turquía. No obstante, también muestra diferencias con otras poblaciones generales y de deportistas.

One of the main genetic factors that influence the muscular performance is the gene that encodes the structural protein α-actinin-3 (ACTN3). The R577X polymorphism (rs1815739) of ACTN3 has been associated with indicators of muscle and physical performance in athletes and general population, but this has been scarcely described in the Latin American and Chilean population. Thus, the aim of the present study was to describe the genotypic frequency and allelic distribution of ACTN3 R577X genotypes in college athletes. A total of 129 unrelated Chilean college athletes representing various sport disciplines (weightlifting, handball, volleyball, rugby, basketball, soccer and futsal) were volunteered for the study. ACTN3 R577X gene polymorphism was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). For the total sample the genotypes distribution for R577X polymorphism was RR: 34.8 % (n=45), RX: 50.4 % (n=65), XX: 14.7 % (n=19), and the relative frequency of alleles was R: 0,601 and X: 0,399. Moreover, an association was found between genotype distribution (c2= 12.26; 2 df; p=0.002) and allele frequencies (c2= 11.02; 1 df; p=0.0009) with the sex of the participants. However, there were no associations when performing analysis by type of sports. These findings suggest that the R577X polymorphism of the ACTN3 gene is associated with sex in Chilean college athletes. Furthermore, these results describe in an unprecedented manner, the genotypic distribution and allelic frequency of this genetic variant in Chilean population, showing a similar distribution to other studies conducted in populations of athletes in Brazil, Russia, the United States and Turkey. However, it also shows differences with other general and athletes populations.