Vitamin status in athletes of different sports before competitions

Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the vitamin status of athletes involved in various sports before important competitions. Materials and Methods. Athletes (n = 176) from six sports (сross-country skiing, biathlon, cycling, track-and-field, taekwondo, basketball) living in the territory of the Komi Republic were examined. Blood sampling was performed from the cubital vein 5-7 days before important competitions. Results. The results of this study showed widespread inadequate levels of some of the vitamins in athletes. The greatest number of people with hypovitaminosis (especially vitamins B1 and E) was among cross-country skiers, biathletes and taekwondo athletes. In general, the situation was similar for men and women. Comparative analysis of the vitamin status in athletes and people from this area (not athletes) showed that women-athletes had a generally higher incidence of deficiency than nonathletic women, and men-athletes had a similar vitamin status to nonathletic men. Conclusion. The results of this study showed that highly skilled athletes, regardless of the sport, were characterized by a high risk of vitamin deficiency. It is necessary to pay attention to the vitamin status of athletes, so as not to put at risk their health and physical performance.