Abstract
Magnesium is a cofactor of different enzymatic reactions involved in anabolic and catabolic processes that affect muscular performance during exercise. In addition, it has been suggested that magnesium could participate in maintaining muscle integrity during demanding effort. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of magnesium supplementation in preventing muscle damage in professional cyclists taking part in a 21-day cycling stage race. Eighteen male professional cyclists (n = 18) from two teams were recruited to participate in the research. They were divided into 2 groups: the control group (n = 9) and the magnesium-supplemented group (n = 9). The supplementation consisted of an intake of 400 mg/day of magnesium during the 3 weeks of competition. Blood samples were collected according to World Anti-Doping Agency rules at three specific moments during competition: immediately before the race; mid competition; and before the last stage. Levels of serum and erythrocyte magnesium, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, myoglobin, aldolase, total proteins, cortisol and creatinine were determined. Serum and erythrocyte magnesium levels decreased during the race. Circulating tissue markers increased at the end of the race in both groups. However, myoglobin increase was mitigated in the supplemented group compared with the controls. We conclude that magnesium supplementation seems to exert a protective effect on muscle damage.
Highlights
In sports, an inadequate body mineral composition can lead to decreased performance
According to the authors0 knowledge, only a few studies have reported the behavior of Mg in athletes during a long-term endurance exercise. In view of this information, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of Mg supplementation in preventing muscle damage in professional cyclists taking part in a 21-day cycling stage race (“Vuelta a España”)
The decrease was significantly more pronounced in the control group (CG) when compared to the magnesium supplemented group (MG)
Summary
Magnesium (Mg) is an intracellular cofactor involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions, in both anabolic and catabolic processes. For this reason, low intracellular levels can directly affect muscular performance, especially during exercise [1,2,3]. Since Mg is an intracellular mineral, it is difficult to assess if Mg circulating levels could reflect total tissue contents for this mineral, and at the same time, the effects of supplementation. The compartmental nature of Mg might be the explanation for the divisive results obtained in different studies In this context, Stendig-Lindberg et al [7] have suggested that increased circulating Mg levels after demanding efforts might reflect a release from damaged muscle. Mg can be profusely lost through transpiration [10], making it difficult to establish correct assessments regarding
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