The aim of this survey was to determine the effects of an aerobic physical training program of six months duration on the serum and urinary concentrations of essential trace elements among middle distance runners and untrained, non-sportsmen participants. 24 well-trained, middle-distance (1500 and 5000 m), aerobic male runners (AG) were recruited at the beginning of their training season and 26 untrained males formed the control group (CG). All participants were from the same region of Spain, and all of them had been living in this area for at least two years. Serum and urine of samples of Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Selenium (Se), Vanadium (V) and Zinc (Zn) were obtained at the beginning of the training season, and six months later, from all participants. All samples were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Two-way ANOVA showed significant differences relative to group effect in serum concentrations of Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Se and Zn. Attending to time effect, there were differences in Mn (p = 0.003) and Zn (p = 0.001). The group x time interaction revealed differences only in the case of Mn (p = 0.04). In urine, significant differences between group were obtained in Co, Cu, Mn, Se and V. Time effect showed changes in Co, Cy, Mo and Se. Finally, the group and time interaction revealed significant differences in urinary Cu (p = 0.001), Mn (p = 0.01) and Se (p = 0.001). A six-month aerobic training program for well-trained athletes induced modifications in the body values of several minerals, a fact which may reflect adaptive responses to physical exercise. The obtained data could be interesting for physicians or coaches in order to consider specific modifications in sportsmen’s diets as well as to determine specific nutritional supplementation strategies.

Several essential trace minerals play an important role in the endocrine system; however, toxic trace minerals have a disruptive effect. The aim of this research was to determine basal concentrations and the possible correlations between trace minerals in plasma and several plasma hormones in runners. Sixty high-level male endurance runners (21 ± 3 years; 1.77 ± 0.05 m; 64.97 ± 7.36 kg) participated in the present study. Plasma hormones were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and plasma trace minerals were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Correlations and simple linear regression were used to assess the association between trace minerals and hormones. Plasma testosterone concentrations were inversely correlated with manganese (r = −0.543; β = −0.410; p < 0.01), selenium (r = −0.292; β = −0.024; p < 0.05), vanadium (r = −0.406; β = −1.278; p < 0.01), arsenic (r = −0.336; β = −0.142; p < 0.05), and lead (r = −0.385; β = −0.418; p < 0.01). Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were positively correlated with arsenic (r = 0.298; β = 0.327; p < 0.05) and cesium (r = 0.305; β = 2.272; p < 0.05), and negatively correlated with vanadium (r = −0.303; β = −2.467; p < 0.05). Moreover, cortisol concentrations showed significant positive correlations with cadmium (r = 0.291; β = 209.01; p < 0.05). Finally, insulin concentrations were inversely related to vanadium (r = −0.359; β = −3.982; p < 0.05). In conclusion, endurance runners living in areas with high environmental levels of toxic minerals should check their concentrations of anabolic hormones.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of this study was to observe any changes and possible adaptations produced in MDA and antioxidants vitamins on plasma and erythrocytes in endurance male athletes among an athletic season (12 months). METHODS: Twenty three long and middle distance male athletes participated in this study. Basal MDA on plasma and antioxidant vitamins in plasma and erythrocytes were measured at four moments along the season (0, 3, 6 and 9 months). Fatty acid concentrations in erythrocytes were obtained to determine lipid peroxidation indexes. RESULTS: In plasma, vitamin C suffered significant decreases at 3 and 6 months compared with the begin (P<0.01), and an increase at 9 months, compared with 3 months. On the other hand, vitamin A level was significantly lower at 9 months compared with the other periods (P<0.01 compared with 0 and 6 months; P<0.05 compared with 3 months). In erythrocytes, significant decreases were observed in vitamin E among the season at 6 months and an increase from 6 to 9 months (P<0.05). Vitamin A suffers a significant decrease in both for competitive periods, at 3 and 9 months, compared with the beginning of the season. The most of changes in lipid peroxidation indexes were produced along the firsts 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Physical training improves the antioxidant systems in order to reduce lipid peroxidation in trained athletes along the season; 2) PUFA/SFA ratios seem more reliable than MDA to observe oxidative stress.

The aim of this study was to determine the possible changes in plasma of several hormones such as Luteinizing Hormone, Testosterone, Cortisol and Insulin in endurance runners during the sports season. Twenty-one high-level male endurance runners (22 ± 3.2 years, 1.77 ± 0.05 m) participated in the study. Basal plasma hormones were measured at four moments during the season (initial, 3, 6 and 9 months), and were analyzed using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Testosterone and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) suffered very significant decreases (p < 0.01) at 3 months compared with the beginning and an increase (p < 0.05) at 6 and 9 months compared with 3 months. Insulin level was significantly lower (p < 0.05) at 3, 6 and 9 months compared with the initial test. Insulin and cortisol were associated inversely (r = 0.363; β = −0.577; p = 0.017) and positively (r = 0.202; β = 0.310; p = 0.043), respectively, with the amount of km per week performed by the runners. There was a significant association between km covered at a higher intensity than the anaerobic threshold and I (r = 0.580; β = −0.442; p = 0.000). Our findings indicate that testosterone, LH and insulin were more sensitive to changes in training volume and intensity than cortisol in high-level endurance runners. Basal testosterone and LH concentrations decrease in athletes who perform a high volume of aerobic km in situations of low energy availability.