[The oral magnesium loading test for detecting possible magnesium deficiency]

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Human Physiology

Context:

• Assessing magnesium status in adolescent athletes is crucial for performance and health.
• Serum magnesium levels may not accurately reflect intracellular magnesium status or early deficiency.
• Adolescent athletes (15-18 years) including volleyball players and a rower were studied.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy of an oral magnesium load test in detecting latent magnesium deficiency in young athletes.
• To compare the sensitivity of the magnesium load test with serum magnesium levels for identifying magnesium deficiency.
• To assess the impact of magnesium supplementation on magnesium retention in athletes with suspected deficiency.

Summary:

• A 5g oral magnesium lactate load test was administered to 26 adolescent athletes.
• 42.3% exhibited low urinary magnesium excretion, indicating potential magnesium deficiency despite normal serum levels.
• Following 10-day supplementation, 6 athletes showed reduced magnesium retention, suggesting improved magnesium status.

Impact:

• The oral magnesium load test is proposed as a more sensitive diagnostic tool for latent magnesium deficiency in athletes compared to serum magnesium.
• Findings highlight the importance of assessing magnesium status beyond serum levels in athletic populations.
• This research can inform nutritional strategies for optimizing athletic performance and preventing deficiency-related issues.