The Influence of Professional Physical Activity on the Element Status in the Hair of Young Athletes (Wrestlers)

Abstract

The rate of metabolic processes increases during physical activities, which leads to increased consumption of macronutrients and trace elements. We studied the elemental composition of hair in 54 young wrestlers with different levels of physical activity (high, medium, and low). The proximal parts of hair strands with a length of 3–4 cm were used for elemental analysis. The analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It was found that physical activity led to increased contents of a number of chemical elements in hair. As an example, intensive physical exertion is associated with increased levels of the macronutrients Ca, Mg, P, K, and Na; essential trace elements Fe, Mn, Co, and Mo; conditionally essential trace elements B, Li, and Sb; as well as the toxic elements Pb and Cd. The contents of the toxic elements Cu, Se, and Hg were reduced. It can be suggested that the metabolism of macronutrients is most susceptible to changes during training in wrestling. The increased level of macronutrients in hair reflects the intense metabolic activity in wrestlers rather than an excess of these elements. This article discusses the possible causes and correlations of these changes. The indicators of the metabolism of macronutrients and trace elements in athletes must be controlled by sports physicians because of the increased risk of disorders associated with a number of elements, in particular, electrolytes. A personalized approach to the determination of the elemental status in athletes is necessary, since different types of sports have different impacts on the metabolism of macronutrients and trace elements. This will provide a precise assessment of the effects of increased physical activity on the individual indicators of metabolism and the detection of disorders, which can lead to reduced levels of physical reserves and decreased adaptation potential and an increase in the risk of disease and injury.