Features of quantity elements and essential trace elements concentrations in saliva of young athletes

Aim. To explore the concentrations of quantity elements and essential trace elements (calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, chromium, and selenium) in saliva of young athletes.

Methods. The study included 111 children aged 12-17 years who were allocated to three groups. The first group included 28 schoolchildren, the second group - 36 adolescents (students of the «Kasatka» swimming sports school) and the third group - 47 athletes (students of the Republican specialized youth sports school of Olympic reserve for grass hockey «Dynamo» of the Republic of Tatarstan). Mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma was performed on «Elan-9000» mass spectrometer; optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma was performed on «Optima 2000DV» optical emission spectrometer.

Results. In young athletes of cyclic sports, there was a significant reduction of salivary calcium (by 1.16 times) and potassium (by 1.8 times) levels compared to control group. Salivary levels of magnesium, zinc, chromium and selenium were significantly increased in athletes.

Conclusion. Revealed differences of quantity elements and essential trace elements salivary concentrations reflect the features of their metabolism at high physical and emotional stress.