Magnesium supplementation in top athletes - effects and recommendations

Abstract

Magnesium is a cofactor involved in many enzymatic systems, being necessary for protein synthesis, functioning of nervous and muscular systems, regulation of blood pressure and glycaemia, bone metabolism. A low dietary intake of magnesium is very common in general population. Additionally, there are categories of population that are even more predisposed to hypomagnesaemia. Top athletes represent a population category predisposed to magnesium deficiency due to increased urinary and sudorific losses, and in case of heavyweight disciplines, due to a decreased dietary intake. Many studies supported the role of
magnesium in athletic performance and showed that magnesium increased the physical endurance and improved the force indices and muscle metabolism in athletes that had a rich diet in magnesium or received magnesium supplements. It is still uncertain whether the positive effects of magnesium supplementation in athletic performance are due to pharmacological actions of magnesium itself or to the reversal of a preexisting magnesium deficiency. Therefore, the purpose of this article is briefly review of Magnesium importance in human health and athletics performance, various hypotheses that may explain magnesium's physiologic action mechanisms but also possible pathways for magnesium deficiency’s correction.

Key words:

magnesium, athlete, deficiency, supplementation

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