Changes in the Mineral Status in the Organisms of Young Athletes Within a One-Year Training Cycle

Abstract

Background. Concentration of trace elements in the hair allows to get an idea how they are taken by the organism
over a long period of time and to study relative correlations with different genetic, dietary and environmental factors.
Research aim was to identify changes in the macro- and microelement status for young athletes involved in different
sports activities depending on the preparation period within one-year training cycle.
Methods. A total of 78 young athletes aged 12–17 years, 32 of which were swimmers (group I), 17 – tennis
players  (group  II)  and  29  –  Taekwondo  athletes  (group  III)  participated  in  the  study.  Biological  material  (hair
samples),  the  volume  of  0.1–0.15  g  were  taken  for  experimental  studies  in  three  periods  of  time:  preparatory,
competitive and transition period within a one-year training cycle. Hair samples were analyzed using the method
of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) in order to detect multiple elements. For quantitative analysis, 8 chemical elements
(sulfur, potassium, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, strontium and selenium) were determined in a single hair sample.
Results and conclusion. A non-invasive method to determine mass fraction of the chemical elements (sulfur,
potassium, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, lead, chlorine, bromine, strontium, selenium) in a hair sample is an informative
method for assessing the physiological response of the body  (young athletes) with physical activity at different
stages of training. The statistical analysis of the obtained results revealed the dependence of the concentration of
trace elements from a kind of sports activity and stage of preparation for young athletes.

Keywords:  chemical elements, X-ray fluorescence analysis, young athletes, preparation stage