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Magnesium Research

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Magnesium intake is associated with strength performance in elite basketball, handball and volleyball players Volume 24, issue 4, December 2011

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Authors
Exercise and Health Laboratory, Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, 1495-688 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal;, Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, 1495-688 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal;, CIPER - Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, 1495-688 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal

<p>Magnesium plays significant roles in promoting strength. Surveys of athletes reveal that intake of magnesium is often below recommended levels.</p><p>We aimed to understand the impact of magnesium intake on strength in elite male basketball, handball, and volleyball players. Energy and nutrient intake were assessed from seven-day diet record. Strength tests included maximal isometric trunk flexion, extension, and rotation, handgrip, squat and countermovement Abalakov jump, and maximal isokinetic knee extension and flexion peak torques. Linear regression models were performed with significance at p<0.1. Mean magnesium intake was significantly lower than the recommended daily allowance. Regression analysis indicated that magnesium was directly associated with maximal isometric trunk flexion, rotation, and handgrip, with jumping performance tests, and with all isokinetic strength variables, independent of total energy intake. The observed associations between magnesium intake and muscle strength performance may result from the important role of magnesium in energetic metabolism, transmembrane transport and muscle contraction and relaxation.</p>