Indices of cell energy exchange and endurance in young athletes

Abstract

Based on the currently available scientific literature, indices of cellular energy status, in particular the ability of elevated levels of carnitine in muscle tissue, may be associated with a protective effect on neuromuscular fatigue. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between cellular energy exchange and endurance in young athletes. Materials and methods. The study included children and adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. The main research group (94 young athletes) consisted of two subgroups depending on the nature of the training load - cyclic (46) and game (48) sports. The control group - 37 children engaged in physical education only at school. Special research methods: tandem chromatography-mass spectrometry and cardiorespiratory stress testing. Results. The indices of free carnitine in young athletes, depending on the type of sports load, have significant differences. The use of the Tukey criterion revealed that the content of free carnitine in athletes with cyclic loads is significantly higher than in athletes of game types and the control group. Differences in absolute and relative maximum oxygen consumption (MIC) in the study groups were significant. Evaluation of the absolute index of the IPC showed that in boys - athletes of cyclic sports, the level of IPC is higher than that of athletes of game types and control groups. Relative indices of the IPC show similar trends. Conclusion. It was found that the indices of cellular energy and IPC in young athletes of cyclic sports are significantly higher in comparison with playing sports. With a comprehensive study of the energy status of young athletes, it is possible to predict the level of physical performance. The contribution of the level of free carnitine to the variance of the absolute MIC index is 20.9% (p < 0.01).