Hair and Saliva Trace Elements Content in Young Athletes from Kazan Region, Russia

Abstract

Active physical exercises are associated with high body mineral demand that can cause mineral disbalances with diverse negative health outcomes. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of sport-related factors on mineral composition in young athletes. Saliva and hair samples were chosen for the analysis as reflecting immediate and more permanent mineral status, respectively. The samples were analysed by spectral methods with inductively coupled plasma for eight essential minerals: calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn). The results from athletes were compared to ones from the control group of adolescent non-athletes. Different minerals demonstrated sampling specific distribution. Sport type specificity of mineral content was found. These findings can help in the process of mineral status data standardization and in training process to correct the sport-associated mineral disbalances.