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Serum zinc in athletes in training
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|August 1, 1981
Summary
Many athletes, especially females, have low serum zinc levels, potentially impacting performance. This study investigated zinc status in training athletes and found significant deficiencies in a notable percentage of participants.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Human Physiology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Zinc is an essential trace element crucial for numerous physiological functions.
- Athletic training can influence micronutrient status, including zinc.
- Understanding zinc levels in athletes is important for optimizing health and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine serum zinc concentrations in a cohort of training athletes.
- To identify the prevalence of low serum zinc in male and female athletes.
- To explore the binding fractions of serum zinc in male athletes.
Main Methods:
- Serum zinc was quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 160 athletes.
- A control group of 15 young adult males was included for comparison.
- Serum zinc fractions were analyzed in a subset of male athletes via polyethylene glycol precipitation.
Main Results:
- Low serum zinc (<75 microgram/dl) was observed in 23.3% of male and 43% of female athletes.
- Average serum zinc levels in athletes were comparable to literature values for healthy young males.
- In male athletes, 22.2% of total serum zinc was bound to alpha2-macroglobulin.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of training athletes, particularly females, exhibit suboptimal serum zinc levels.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific factors influencing zinc status in athletes.
- The findings highlight the potential need for monitoring and addressing zinc status in athletic populations.