The vitamin status of 13 endurance athletes was determined by whole blood (microbiological) and urine 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) (HPLC), serum vitamin (pyridoxal, pyridoxol, pyridoxamin) (HPLC), and erythrocyte α- EGOT measurements with the aid of 7-day records. In addition, blood and serum samples and urine were collected before (Time A), directly after (Time B), and 2 hr after a marathon race (Time C). The total energy intake was 12,303 ± 3,464 Wday (34% fat, 48% carbohydrates, 14% protein). The vitamin intake, serum concentrations, α-EGOT value, and 4-PA excretion were higher than the reference values at Time A. Only the vitamin whole blood levels were below the normal level at Time A. The vitamin B, status of the athletes corresponded essentially to reference values obtained for untrained individuals. There was a mean loss of about 1 mg vitamin as a result of the marathon race. Vitamin supplementation does not appear necessary if a balanced diet is consumed.

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Vitamin B6 status can be quantified using the weighed food record, microbiological whole blood determination, and 4-PA excretion; however, limits of the individual methods must be taken into account. Vitamin B6 supply of the athletes still cannot be definitively assessed because there are no generally valid reference values.

Ninety-six high-performance athletes of various disciplines were available for this investigation. All athletes had many years of training and competition experience. The pantothenic acid contents in the blood were determined by means of microbiological measurements. In addition to the pantothenic acid level at rest, measurements were made resp. physical exertion in 14 marathon runners and nine body builders. Blood was collected for determination of pantothenic acid before (a), after (b) and 2 h after exercise. Compared to the reference values for untrained persons (1.34 +/- 0.13 nmol/mL), the marathon runners with 0.76 (0.31-0.94) nmol/mL and soccer players with 1.19 (0.37-2.64) nmol/mL were below the reference values. According to relative frequencies, more than 30% of all athletes were below the lower limit (< 1.20 nmol/mL). The values in body builders/racing cyclists differed significantly from those in marathon racers (p < 0.001), which is presumably due to unallowed supplementation. During exercise, there was a significant increase in the pantothenic acid level in marathon runners (p < 0.01).