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Micronutrient supplementation improves physical performance measures in Asian Indian school-age children
Mario Vaz1, Maria Pauline, Uma S Unni
1St John's Research Institute, St John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India. mariovaz@sjri.res.in
Insights
A multi-micronutrient fortified beverage improved physical performance in children. Supplementation enhanced aerobic capacity and endurance, alongside improved micronutrient status in participants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Sports Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Micronutrients play a crucial role in physical work capacity and athletic performance.
- Nutritional status can significantly impact the physical capabilities of school-aged children.
- Limited research exists on the effects of multi-micronutrient supplementation on physical performance in healthy children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a multi-micronutrient-fortified nutritional beverage on physical performance in children.
- To evaluate changes in micronutrient status following supplementation.
- To compare the effects of fortified beverage versus placebo and control groups.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial involving 300 clinically healthy school-age children (7-10.5 years).
- Participants received either a fortified (19 vitamins/minerals) or unfortified choco-malt beverage daily for 120 days.
- Physical performance (endurance, aerobic capacity, speed, reaction time, grip strength) and micronutrient status were measured at baseline and end-of-intervention.
Main Results:
- The fortified beverage group showed significant within-subject increases in aerobic capacity and whole-body endurance (P < 0.05).
- Significant improvements in iron, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxal phosphate, folate, and vitamins C and B-12 status were observed in the fortified group (P < 0.05).
- These improvements were significantly greater compared to the placebo and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Multi-micronutrient supplementation via a fortified beverage can enhance aerobic capacity and endurance in school-aged children.
- Supplementation effectively improves the status of key micronutrients, including iron and several B vitamins.
- This intervention shows potential benefits for improving physical performance and nutritional status in similar pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Micronutrients are important in physical work capacity and therefore performance. The impact of a multi-micronutrient-fortified nutritional beverage on physical performance measures among clinically healthy school-age children was assessed in a double-blind (for test and placebo groups), placebo-controlled, randomized trial in children aged between 7 and 10.5 y (n = 300). The participants with height- and weight-for-age Z-scores between 0 and ≥ -3 were randomized to 1 of 3 study arms: fortified choco-malt beverage powder (F), matched energy equivalent unfortified placebo (U), and untreated control (C). Participants in the F and C groups were given 40 g fortified (19 key vitamins and minerals) and unfortified choco-malt beverage, respectively, daily for 120 d. Primary efficacy outcomes included endurance and aerobic capacity using a 20-m shuttle test and step test. Other physical performance measures included speed (40-m sprint), visual reaction time, maximal hand grip, and forearm static endurance. Micronutrient status included thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin, iron, pyridoxal phosphate, and vitamins B-12 and C. All measurements were made at baseline and the end of the intervention. There was a within-subject increase in aerobic capacity and whole body endurance (P < 0.05) accompanied by a significant improvement in the status of iron thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxal phosphate, folate, and vitamins C and B-12 in the F group compared to the within-subject changes in the other 2 groups (P < 0.05). The study suggests that multiple micronutrient supplementation in similar populations may be beneficial in improving micronutrient status and enhancing aerobic capacity and endurance in children.
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