Int J Sports Med 1990; 11(3): 234-237
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1024798
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Changes of Magnesium Concentrations in Endurance Athletes

I. Casoni, C. Guglielmini, L. Graziano* , M. G. Reali* , D. Mazzotta** , V. Abbasciano*
  • Centro Ricerche Biomediche applicate allo Sport, Università di Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
  • * Istituto di Patologia Medica, Università di Ferrara, Italy
  • ** Istituto di Chimica Farmaceutica e Tossicologia, Università di Ferrara, Via Scandiana 21, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

Erythrocitary and serum magnesium (Mg) were determined in a group of I 1 well-trained athletes before and after a 25-km running race, and in a group of 30 sedentary controls. The significant increase of mean erythrocitary Mg (EMg) concentration observed in the athletes after physical strain (2.58 ± 0.34 mEq/I before, 3.10 + 0.45 mEq/I after the race: significance level = 5%) leads to the assumption that the possible Mg uptake is effectccl by the red blood cell to enhance some enzymatic reactions. The decrease of mean serum Mg concentration observed in the same subjects after the effort (1.70±0.14 mEq/I before, 1.64±0.15 mEq/1 after the race) is not significant. The difference between mean Mg concentrations observed in the athletes' group before the race and in the sedentary group (EMg: 2.58 + 0.34 mEq/1 in athletes, 3.67 + 0.38 mEq/1 in scdentaries, significance level=l%; serum Mg: 1.70±0.14 mEq/1 in athletes, 1.96±0.15 mEq/1 in sedentaries, significance level = 1%) suggests that athletes suffer from a Mg deficiency, partially due to physical exercise. The two hypotheses and the possible causes of the observed phenomena are discussed.