One Week of Magnesium Supplementation Lowers IL-6, Perceived Pain and Increases Post Exercise Blood Glucose in Response to Downhill Running

One Week of Magnesium Supplementation Lowers IL-6, Perceived Pain and Increases Post Exercise Blood Glucose in Response to Downhill Running

One Week of Magnesium Supplementation Lowers IL-6, Perceived Pain and Increases Post Exercise Blood Glucose in Response to Downhill Running

This study investigated the effect of magnesium supplementation on exercise performance and functional recovery in recreational endurance athletes in conjunction with measures of blood glucose, lactate, IL-6 and sIL-6R.

Magnesium status can directly affect circulating glucose concentrations both during and post exercise. In addition, magnesium supplementation has been shown to reduce circulating IL-6 concentrations post exercise in humans. It is conceivable that such observations are linked through the role of IL-6 in glucose regulation, possibly in combination with sIL-6R. Together, magnesium intake may have the potential to effect exercise performance and recovery through glucose availability. This in turn may be connected to the production of IL-6 and sIL-6R which have been established to influence exercise fatigue and perception of pain (muscle soreness).

Magnesium, Supplementation, Interleukin-6, Soluble interleukin-6 receptor, Glucose, Pain, Exercise performance, Exercise recovery, Downhill running

Participants followed a low magnesium diet <260mg/day and consumed 500 mg/day of magnesium oxide. This was separated into 3 capsules, which were consumed at 6 hr intervals each day (8am, 2pm and 8pm). The supplementation period was 1 week.

Participants followed a low magnesium diet <260mg/day and consumed 500 mg/day of placebo (cornflour). This was separated into 3 capsules, which were consumed at 6 hr intervals each day (8am, 2pm and 8pm). The supplementation period was 1 week.

Maximal force produced from the dominant leg (eccentric and concentric) on an isokinetic dynamometer.

Capillary blood samples at rest, during, immediately post, 1 hr post and 24 hrs post 10 km downhill time-trial. A Biosen analyser was used to analyse glucose concentrations.

Venous blood samples at rest, immediately post, 1hr post and 24 hrs 10 km downhill time trial. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to analyse interleukin-6.

Venous blood samples at rest, immediately post, 1hr post and 24 hrs 10 km downhill time trial. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to analyse soluble interleukin-6.

A 10cm visual analogue scale was used to assess perceived muscle soreness, the scale started at 0 (no pain) and finished at 10 (unbearable pain)

Capillary blood samples at rest, during, immediately post, 1 hr post and 24 hrs post 10 km downhill time-trial. A Biosen analyser was used to analyse lactate concentrations.

Venous blood samples at rest, immediately post, 1hr post and 24 hrs 10 km downhill time trial. A Reflotron analyser was used to analyse creatine kinase concentrations.

Inclusion Criteria: Regular recreational runner, running around 3 times per week Capable of running 10 km in ~ 40 minutes. Exclusion Criteria: Any signs or symptoms of cardiovascular issues. Any recent form of injury or illness. Currently, or in the last 3 months, have consumed multivitamin supplements Currently, or in the last 3 months, have consumed anti-inflammatory medications.

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