Do Environmental Factors (Practice and Feedback) Moderate the Effect of the Val66met BDNF Polymorphism on Motor Learning?

Abolfazl Shayan Nooshabadi, Alireza Saberi Kakhki*, Mehdi Sohrabi and Mohamad Ali Dowlati

Department of Motor behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

Corresponding Author Email: askakhki@um.ac.ir

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/2130

ABSTRACT: Motor learning might be affected by environmental factors as well as some genetic factors. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of val66met BDNF polymorphism on motor learning and to examine the possibility of moderating this effect using environmental factors. One hundred students from University of Kashan, Iran participated in the study. After extraction of Genomic DNA, implementation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), analyzing PCR by 1.5 percent Electrophoresis Gel, and in the end sequencing by ABI PRISM 7000 Sequencing Analyzer, 46 participants were identified without val66met polymorphism while 54 participants were affected by the polymorphism (met-carrier). Twenty-four participants without val66met polymorphism and Twenty-four participants of met-carriers were randomly selected and divided into four groups of twelve. Participants of each group practiced backhand baseball pitch for six sessions and after 48 hours did the first retention test. Subsequently, participants in all four groups continued practicing in three additional sessions with specific design for each group and afterwards did the second retention test. Results demonstrate the fact that participants without the polymorphism exceeded met-carriers in learning of the task. Whereas the weakness of met-carriers did not disappear by additional practice, the practice was useful when associated with self-controlled feedback. The research shows val66met polymorphism may exert an influence over the learning of motor skills. However, the effect may be moderated by changing the condition of practice for people affected by the polymorphism in a way that engages them to cognitive processes

KEYWORDS: BDNF; Val66met Polymorphism; Motor Learning: Feedback Control; Met-carriers

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