Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives: Most athletes suffer from zinc and magnesium deficiency. Zinc and magnesium deficiency can reduce anabolic hormones and reduce performance of athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three months of zinc-magnesium supplementation along with intense endurance training on somatomedin C levels and endurance performance in female Wistar rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 mature female Wistar rats, were randomly divided into three groups of 8 each: (control, intense endurance training, and intense endurance training+zinc-magnesium supplementation(. The training protocol consisted of running on treadmill for 3 months (5day/week). In the supplement group, in addition to standard meal and water, 227 mg of zinc sulfate and 10g of magnesium sulfate, were used per liter of water. One week before the end of the period, the subjects' endurance performance, was assessed, and 24 hours after the last training session and after 8 hours of overnight fasting, blood samples were collected. Then, plasma level of somatomedin C, was measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests. Results: In this study, three months of endurance training along with supplementation, had no significant effects on serum somatomedin C levels of the groups (p=0.23), but endurance performance of the endurance training+supplementation group, significantly increased compared to the control (p=0.00) and training without supplementation group (p=0.00). Also, the endurance performance of the training without supplementation group, significantly increased compared to the control group (p=0.003). Conclusion: According to the results, zinc-magnesium supplement may be cautiously taken into account as a factor in improving endurance performance in female rats. Keywords: Endurance; Zinc; Magnesium; Insulin-Like growth factor I; Rats. Downloaded