Magnesium status and the physical performance of volleyball players: effects of magnesium supplementation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that magnesium supplementation influences the physical performance of volleyball players, as the efficacy of this approach remains questionable. Twenty-five professional male volleyball players were assigned randomly to experimental (350 mg Mg · d(-1), 4 weeks) and control groups (500 mg maltodextrin · d(-1), 4 weeks) maintaining inter-group homogeneity of urinary magnesium. Erythrocyte, plasma and urinary magnesium levels, plasma creatine kinase activity, lactate production, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and plyometric (squat jump, countermovement jump, countermovement jump with arm swing) and isokinetic (peak torque, potency and total work) performances were evaluated before (T0) and after (T1) supplementation. Levels of erythrocyte and urinary magnesium and creatine kinase activity and VO2 max remained within normal ranges in both groups. Plasma magnesium decreased significantly only within the experimental group. Significant decreases in lactate production and significant increases (of up to 3 cm) in countermovement jump and countermovement jump with arm swing values were detected in the experimental group following magnesium supplementation, but not in the control group at T1. It is concluded that magnesium supplementation improved alactic anaerobic metabolism, even though the players were not magnesium-deficient.

Can Magnesium Enhance Exercise Performance?

“…Human studies have linked serum/plasma Mg levels or Mg supplementation to various exercise-related outcomes including bench press, hand grip, maximal isometric trunk flexion, heart rate, and energy needs. Physiological indices have been used as the proxy measures of exercise performance [ 28 , 29 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. For example, in one randomized controlled trial [ 40 ], the researchers randomly divided 30 healthy individuals (aged 18–22 years) into three groups: (1) Mg supplementation group; (2) Mg supplementation + Tae-Kwan-Do training group; and (3) Tae-Kwan-Do training group.…”

“…However, the effectiveness of such practice on exercise performance is less elucidated. Although a large body of studies have examined the relation between Mg and physical performance [ 1 , 9 , 11 , 13 , 22 , 23 ], the outcome measurement varies, which primarily includes physiological indicators such as lactate levels, blood pressure, heart rate and VO 2 max [ 25 , 29 ]. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the association between Mg status/supplementation and exercise performance with direct measures such as grip strength and knee torque.…”

ACTH, Cortisol and IL-6 Levels in Athletes Following Magnesium Supplementation

“…Effects of magnesium supplementation in athletes were usually assessed with respect to exercise-induced magnesium redistribution and its effect on physical strength performance (11–14). A limited number of studies investigated the influence of magnesium supplementation on hormonal response in trained athletes, especially its influence on the HPA axis activity parameters (15) as well as on the white blood cell (WBC) count and leukocytes percentage profile (16), but to our knowledge, none of them were done over a six-day-long period in amateur rugby players.…”

The effect of acute vs chronic magnesium supplementation on exercise and recovery on resistance exercise, blood pressure and total peripheral resistance on normotensive adults

“…This study set out to determine whether either acute or chronic magnesium supplementation would have an effect on performance (strength and cardiovascular) and blood pressure with exercise and/or on a second bout of exercise after a 24 hr recovery period. As has been shown previously [ 13 , 21 ] acute magnesium supplementation has a positive effect on BP, plyometric parameters and torque, however its effect on resistance exercise has not been evident to date. Further, chronic loading strategies have not been investigated in respect to exercise as well as the effect of Mg supplementation on a second bout of exercise.…”