title: Blood phosphorus and magnesium levels in 130 elite track and field athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study tested the clinical utility and relevance of serum phosphorus and magnesium as markers possibly useful to monitor training in athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phosphorus and magnesium serum concentrations of 130 elite track and field athletes (65 males and 65 females, age range 20-30 years) from the National Athletics Sports Medicine Center database in Thessaloniki, Greece were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abnormal results were found in 61 (47%) athletes (32 men and 29 women). In male athletes, serum phosphate was higher than normal in 18% and decreased in 1.5%, whereas serum magnesium concentration was higher in 26%, and lower in 3%. Regarding female athletes, higher serum phosphate and magnesium levels were detected in 26% and 17% respectively, whereas decreased serum magnesium was found in 3%. The most common alterations were higher serum phosphate (29/61, 47%) and magnesium concentrations (28/61, 46%). Abnormalities of serum phosphorus and magnesium concentrations were detected in almost half of the athletes. Hyperphosphataemia and hypermagnesaemia were the most common abnormalities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reference intervals used for general population cannot be used for athletes. Given the lack of pathological manifestations, the physiopathological significance of these findings is uncertain. Further studies on the interpretation of reported ion concentrations in athletes should take in account the type of sport practiced and also the possible variations during the training and competition season.
authors.affiliation: National Track & Field Centre, Sports Injury Clinic, Sports Medicine Clinic of S.E.G.A.S., Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Malliaropoulos
authors.forename: Kostas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsitas
authors.forename: Anthoula
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Porfiriadou
authors.forename: Agapi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papalada
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: R Ames
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Buono
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lippi
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
keywords: Athletes; Hypermagnesaemia; Hyperphosphataemia; Hypomagnesaemia; Hypophosphatemia