Abstract

Increased physical activity elevates both the body’s demand for energy and for certain elements in the diet. The determination of macro and micro-elements in the body, especially in individuals with such an increased demand, has a significant practical application, especially in the context of published data on the deficiency of bioelements in all the age groups in Polish society. The introduction of new and more sensitive methods into the domain of medical analytics, such as inductively coupled mass spectrometry, enables improved determination of element compositions in biological material. One example is the estimation of element content in hair which has become more and more favored, in both the examination of physiological and pathological states. Hair is a material that is easy to obtain and is relatively stable/durable; its element composition appears to be a good indicator of some characteristics, e.g. nourishment. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and potassium in the hair of young healthy individuals with increased physical activity. Additionally, correlations were sought between the found concentrations. The study group consisted of 37 young and healthy individuals (12 women and 25 men) aged about 22 years, with an increased physical activity resulting from the character of their studies at the Physical Education Department at the University of Szczecin, Poland. Hair samples were taken from the examined individuals according to a specific procedure in which after mineralization the element composition was determined by ICP (inductively coupled spectrometry). The obtained mean results for the examined elements were as follows, respectively for women and men: Mg = 25.42 µg/g and 21.17 µg/g, Ca = 896.5 µg/g and 622.5µg/g, Fe = 6.98 µg/g and 8.82µg/g, P = 336.3 µg/g and 236µg/g, Na = 74.82 µg/g and 280.44 µg/g , K = 13.52 µg/g and 107.5 µg/g. Statistically significant correlations were observed between sodium and potassium concentrations. Additionally, in women, a positive correlation was observed between the concentration of magnesium and sodium, and in men between calcium and iron.

Author Details

Authors

• A. Lubkowska

Departments

• Department of Physiology, Faculty of Natural Science of Szczecin University, Szczecin, Poland

Address

Dr. A. Lubkowska
Department of Physiology
Faculty of Natural Science of Szczecin University
al. Piastów 40b, blok 6
71-065 Szczecin, Poland
Email: [email protected]

Citation