Serum concentration of several trace metals and physical training

BACKGROUND: 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 subjects and the possible influence that different energy sports training modalities can have on their concentration. METHODS: Eighty professional athletes and 31 sedentary males participated in the present survey. All of them were living in Cáceres (Spain). Serum boron, lithium, rubidium, antimony, tin and strontium analysis was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: The results show higher concentrations in athletes on tin (p < 0.01), rubidium and antimony (p < 0.001) than the control group. In the case of tin, this item had the highest concentrations only in aerobic sports modalities. Regarding rubidium and antimony, the highest concentrations are found in athletes with lower oxygen consumption (aerobic-anaerobic) (p < 0.001), followed by anaerobic group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our research shows that, probably due to increased water and air intake, especially, trace elements rubidium, antimony and tin reveal major differences in serum concentration of athletes in relation to sedentary subjects. On the other hand, physical training does not change the serum concentration of Boron, Lithium and strontium.