Effects of serotonin transporter gene polymorphism on mood during the period before the competition in Japanese ballet dancers
We investigated whether serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region (5 HTTLPR) can predict mood state in Japanese ballet dancers, when they are placed under psychological pressure. Participants were 25 elite student ballet (Elite) dancers with future potential and 19 pro ballet (Pro) dancers. We administered two psychological questionnaires (STAI: State Trait Anxiety Inventory; BRUMS: Brunel Mood Scale) to the participants on a typical day and on one of stressful days. The frequency of the 5 HTTLPR genotype in the dancers was as follows: s/s, 64.7% s/l, 35.3% l/l, 0% There was only significant difference in STAI scores on before competition between s/s and s/l genotypes. In this study, the Trait Anxiety scores of Elite dancers were significantly higher than those of the Pro dancers (p<0.028) The main effects were significant of genotypes in the BRUMS scores (P<0.035) and of Pro/Elite groups (P<0.002) the 5 HTTLPR has played a certain role in the background of state trait anxiety, and the psychological test scores were strongly influenced by occupational factors. We can predict the status of BRUMS before the competition by examining the Trait Anxiety in Elite. Dance level (Elite versus Pro) appears to have far more robust effects on dancer mental status than does 5 HTTLPR genotype.