| Summary: | Athletic performance is influenced by many factors such as the environment, diet, training and endurance or speed in physical effort and by genetic predisposition. Just a few studies have analyzed the impact of genotypes on physical performance in rugby. The aim of this study was to verify the modulation of genetic influence on rugby-specific physical performance. Twenty-seven elite rugby union players were involved in the study during the in-season phase. Molecular genotyping was performed for: angiotensin-converting enzyme (<i>ACE</i> rs4646994), alfa-actinin-3 (<i>ACTN3</i> rs1815739) and monocarboxylate transporter 1 (<i>MCT1</i> rs1049434) and their variants. Lean mass index (from skinfolds), lower-limb explosive power (countermovement jump), agility (505), speed (20 m), maximal aerobic power (Yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1) and repeated sprint ability (12 × 20 m) were evaluated. In our rugby union players <i>ACE</i> and <i>ACTN3</i> variants did not show any influence on athletic performance. <i>MCT1</i> analysis showed that TT-variant players had the highest peak vertical power (<i>p</i> = 0.037) while the ones with the AA genotype were the fastest in both agility and sprint tests (<i>p</i> = 0.006 and <i>p</i> = 0.012, respectively). Considering the T-dominant model, the AA genotype remains the fastest in both tests (agility: <i>p</i> = 0.013, speed: <i>p</i> = 0.017). Only the <i>MCT1</i> rs1049434 A allele seems to be advantageous for elite rugby union players, particularly when power and speed are required.
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