Association between ACE gene polymorphism of men of Han nationality in northern China and the effects of the HiHiLo training

To explore the association between Insertion/Deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) gene and the effects of HiHiLo (living at high altitude-exercise at high altitude-training at low altitude) training, Seventy-one healthy men of Han nationality in northern China underwent HiHiLo training for 4 weeks. Training programme was as follows: exposure in hypoxic environment (14.5%~14.8%O₂, 10h/day), three times hypoxic training per week (15.4%02), and training at sea level. VO₂ max and Haemogram were measured before and after the protocol, and the ACE gene I/D polymorphism was detected by PCR. The findings indicated that the frequency of genotypes in the subjects was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant differences were in the baseline VO₂max, VO₂max/w, RBCU HB and HCT among groups. VO₂max, VO₂max/w RB, HB and HCT all increased more significantly in total and II, ID after training than those before the training (P<;0.01) , but no significant changes showed in DD (P>; 0.05) except HCT. The present study suggested that HiHiLo training could be helpful for developing aerobic ability. Moreover, men carrying II and ID probably were more sensitive to the hypoxic training than those carrying DD.