Se and Zn nutritional status of collegiate female athletes by exercise type

Abstract

Most collegiate athletes usually carry out hard training in order to promote exercise performance, hence the production of free radicals and ROS will increase through the higher energy metabolism and oxygen ingestion. Therefore, the requirements of antioxidant nutrients might be increased compared to sedentary people and be different by exercise type. However, the nutritional status of Se and Zn, antioxidant micro‐minerals, have been rarely reported among Korean collegiate players, possibly because of their analysis difficulties. In this study, we evaluated the nutritional status of Se and Zn level, and their relationship between their dietary intake and serum levels by exercise type. The collegiate athletic females of judo, aerobics, and basketball and sedentary females were recruited. And Se and Zn levels in serum were measured using NAA method and their dietary intake were calculated by using 24‐hour recall method and food mineral database of Korean Nutrition Society, respectively. Average serum level of Se was in range of 9.7~12.2ug/dL and lowest in judo players and tends to be higher in basketball player compared to sedentary. Average Zn level in serum was in range of 81.8~105.0 ug/dL and lower in judo, aerobic players compared to sedentary and basketball players. The dietary intake of Se was higher than the recommend amount of KDRI Se in all groups, and the highest among basketball players who ingested double amount of RNI Se of KDRI. The dietary Zn intake was higher in three exercise group compared to sedentary collegiate female. The rank of dietary Se and Zn levels by exercise type didn't correspond to those of serum levels, respectively. Despite of higher dietary intake of Se, it's nutritional status was lower in female judo player than sedentary female. It is suggested that higher Se intake may be necessary in judo female players, which should be confirmed with a wide and deep evaluation studies.Support or Funding Information2015 grant of Yongin university