The aim of the present study was to determine changes in serum concentrations of trace elements Cooper (Cu), Chromiun (Cr), Manganesum (Mn), Nickel (Ni) and Selenium (Se) in high-level sportsmen. Eighty professional athletes of different metabolic modalities, were recruited before the start of their training period. Thirty one sedentary participants of the same geographic area constituted the control group. Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni and Se analysis was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Higher concentrations of Cr (p < 0.001), Mn (p < 0.085), and Ni (p < 0.001) were found in sportsmen in comparison to controls, inversely, Se values were lower (p < 0.001) among sportsmen. When sportsmen were classified by metabolic modalities, it was found that aerobic-anaerobic group had higher (p < 0.01) Cu concentrations than controls and the other sportsmen. The highest Cr values were found in aerobic participants. For Mn, the major levels were found in aerobic and aerobic-anaerobic groups as well (p < 0.001). The lowest Se levels were found among anaerobic sportsmen (p < 0.001). This research showed that daily, continuum physical training induced alterations in serum essential minerals concentrations, as well as that these changes can be dependent of the exercise modality practiced.

Physical training produces changes in the extracellular and intracellular concentrations of trace minerals elements. To our knowledge, only three compartments have been studied simultaneously. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of physical training on extracellular (serum, plasma and urine) and intracellular (erythrocytes and platelets) concentrations of Copper (Cu). Forty young men participated in this study. The participants were divided into a training group (TG; n = 20; 18.15 ± 0.27 years; 68.59 ± 4.18 kg; 1.76 ± 0.04 m) and a control group (CG; n = 20; 19.25 ± 0.39 years; 73.45 ± 9.04 kg; 1.79 ± 0.06 m). The TG was formed by semi-professional soccer players from a youth category with a regular training plan of 10 h/week. All of them had been participating in high level competitions and had trained for at least 5 years. Plasma, serum, urine, erythrocyte and platelet samples of Cu were obtained and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The TG showed lower concentrations of Cu in erythrocytes (p < 0.05) despite similar intakes. There were no significant differences in Cu concentrations in plasma, serum, urine and platelets although the trend was similar to that observed in erythrocytes. The assessment of trace element concentrations should be carried out in both extracellular and intracellular compartments to obtain a proper evaluation and to identify possible deficiencies of the element. We believe that additional Cu supplementation is needed in athletes who perform physical training regularly.

The aim of this study was to observe the concentrations of trace metals boron, lithium, rubidium, antimony, tin and strontium in the serum of athletes from different modalities and sedentary subjec...

Oxidative stress has been recognized as a contributing factor in aging and in the progression of multiple neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s dementia, ischemic stroke, and head and spinal cord injury. The increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, altered metal homeostasis, and compromised brain antioxidant defence. All these changes have been reported to directly affect synaptic activity and neurotransmission in neurons, leading to cognitive dysfunction. In this context two non-invasive strategies could be employed in an attempt to improve the aforementioned stressful brain status. In this regard, it has been shown that exercise could increase the resistance against oxidative stress, thus providing enhanced neuroprotection. Indeed, there is evidence suggesting that regular physical exercise diminishes BBB permeability as it reinforces antioxidative capacity, reduces oxidative stress, and has anti-inflammatory effects. However, the differential effects of different types of exercise (aerobic exhausted exercise, anaerobic exercise, or the combination of both types) and the duration of physical activity will be also addressed in this review as likely determinants of therapeutic efficacy. The second proposed strategy is related to the use of probiotics, which can also reduce some biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, although their underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear. Moreover, various probiotics produce neuroactive molecules that directly or indirectly impact signalling in the brain. In this review, we will discuss how physical activity can be incorporated as a component of therapeutic strategies in oxidative stress-based neurological disorders along with the augmentation of probiotics intake.

The present study aimed to determine changes occurring in the erythrocyte concentrations of Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg) and Phosphorous (P) of subjects with different levels of physical training living in the same area of Extremadura (Spain). Thirty sedentary subjects (24.34 ± 3.02 years) without sports practice and a less active lifestyle, formed the control group (CG); 24 non-professional subjects (23.53 ± 1.85 years), who perform between 4 and 6 h/week of moderate sports practice without any performance objective and without following systematic training formed the group of subjects with a moderate level of training (MTG), and 22 professional cyclists (23.29 ± 2.73 years) at the beginning of their sports season, who performed more than 20 h/week of training, formed the high-level training group (HTG). Erythrocyte samples from all subjects were collected and frozen at − 80 °C until analysis. Erythrocyte analysis of Fe, Mg and P was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). All results are expressed in μg/g Hb. The results showed that there were statistically significant lower concentrations of erythrocyte Fe, Mg and P in MTG and HTG than CG. All parameters (Fe, Mg and P concentrations in erythrocytes) correlated inversely with physical training. Physical exercise produces a decrease in erythrocyte concentrations of Fe, Mg and P. This situation could cause alterations in the performance of athletes given the importance of these elements. For this reason, we recommend an erythrocyte control at the beginning, and during the training period, to avoid harmful deficits.

Performance in soccer has been associated with specific morphological characteristics. Few studies have simultaneously compared the relationships between physical fitness and body composition in both sexes. This study aimed (i) to analyze the differences in anthropometric parameters, body composition, and physical fitness between sexes and playing position in soccer players and (ii) to determine the relationship among anthropometric and body composition parameters to physical fitness parameters according to sex. A total of 50 soccer players (men: n = 26; women: n = 24), participated in the study. Assessments of nutritional intake, anthropometry, body composition, and physical fitness (isometric strength, maximal aerobic capacity, and vertical jump) were carried out. Differences between sexes were observed in all anthropometric and body composition parameters (p < 0.001). There were differences between midfielders and forwards in fat percentage (p < 0.05). Regarding physical condition, differences were found between sexes in all tests performed (p < 0.001). In men soccer players, there were significant correlations between body composition and aerobic capacity (p < 0.05), while in women soccer players, there were correlations with isometric strength tests (p < 0.05). Anthropometry, body composition, and physical fitness differed between sexes. Fat percentages were different among playing positions. There were relationships between anthropometry and body composition with physical fitness. Knowledge of anthropometric and fitness characteristics by playing position and gender in soccer players could help develop specific training programs.