Physiologic responses of macro elements to maximal aerobic exercise in male and female footballers

This study aimed to detect changes in calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and chlorine levels in male and female footballers before, immediately after and 1 hour after aerobic exercise and to compare the mineral levels detected after the exercise by taking the gender into account. Method: Blood samples were taken before, immediately after and 1 hour after a 20-meter shuttle run test. Macro elements were detected by using the plasma emission spectroscopy method, and the significance level was accepted as P<0.05. Findings: A statistically significant difference was not observed in macro element levels in male and female footballers before, immediately after and 1 hour after the training. In females, the chlorine level in all three periods and the potassium level 1 hour after the training was found higher than males. Conclusion: It is thought that the duration of exercise does not cause a loss of liquid which may result in liquid imbalance; and the haemostatic balance which is strongly controlled by the body prevented the mineral levels from changing after the aerobic exercise.