Effect of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine concentration and association with training in handball players

doi:10.1186/1550-2783-10-10

. 2013 Feb 21;10(1):10.

doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-10-10.

Effect of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine concentration and association with training in handball players

Jorge Molina-López¹, José M Molina², Luís J Chirosa^#², Daniela I Florea^#¹, Laura Sáez^#¹, Elena Planells¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain.
² Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 23432819
PMCID: PMC3605276
DOI: 10.1186/1550-2783-10-10

Effect of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine concentration and association with training in handball players

Jorge Molina-López et al. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013.

. 2013 Feb 21;10(1):10.

doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-10-10.

Authors

Jorge Molina-López¹, José M Molina², Luís J Chirosa^#², Daniela I Florea^#¹, Laura Sáez^#¹, Elena Planells¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain.
² Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 23432819
PMCID: PMC3605276
DOI: 10.1186/1550-2783-10-10

Abstract

Background: Strenuous physical activity can alter the status of folic acid, a vitamin directly associated with homocysteine (Hcy); alterations in this nutrient are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Handball players are a population at risk for nutrient deficiency because of poor dietary habits.

Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate nutritional status for macronutrients and folic acid in members of a high-performance handball team, and determine the effect of a nutritional intervention with folic acid supplementation and education.

Design: A total of 14 high-performance handball players were monitored by recording training time, training intensity (according to three levels of residual heart rate (RHR): <60%, 60%-80% and >80%), and subjective perceived exertion (RPE) during a 4-month training period. Nutritional, laboratory and physical activity variables were recorded at baseline (Week 0), after 2 months of dietary supplementation with 200 μg folic acid (50% of the recommended daily allowance) (Week 8) and after 2 months without supplementation (Week 16). We compared training load and analyzed changes in plasma concentrations of Hcy before and after the intervention.

Results: Bivariate analysis showed a significant negative correlation (P < 0.01) between Hcy and folic acid concentrations (r = -0.84) at Week 8, reflecting a significant change in Hcy concentration (P < 0.05) as a result of hyperhomocysteinemia following the accumulation of high training loads. At Week 16 we observed a significant negative correlation (P < 0.01) between Hcy concentration and training time with an RHR <60%, indicating that aerobic exercise avoided abrupt changes in Hcy and may thus reduce the risk of cardiovascular accidents in high-performance athletes.

Conclusion: Integral monitoring and education are needed for practitioners of handball sports to record their folic acid status, a factor that directly affects Hcy metabolism. Folic acid supplementation may protect athletes against alterations that can lead to cardiovascular events related to exertion during competition.

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Figures

**Figure 1**
**Comparison of training variables throughout the experimental trial.**^*Statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) STp vs NSTp.

**Figure 2**
Relationship between homocysteine with other parameters in handball players.

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References

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1. König D, Bissé E, Deibert P, Deibert P, Müller HM, Wieland H, Berg A. Influence of training volume and acute physical exercise on the homocysteine levels in endurance-trained men: interactions with plasma folate and vitamin B12. Ann Nutr Metab. 2003;47:114–118. doi: 10.1159/000070032. - DOI - PubMed

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[1] Woolf K, Manore MM. B-vitamins and exercise: does exercise alter requirements? Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2006;16(5):453–484. - PubMed

[2] Woolf K, Manore MM. B-vitamins and exercise: does exercise alter requirements? Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2006;16(5):453–484. - PubMed

[3] Herrmann M, Obeid R, Scharhag J, Kindermann W, Herrmann W. Altered vitamin B12 status in recreational endurance athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2005;15:433–441. - PubMed

[4] Herrmann M, Obeid R, Scharhag J, Kindermann W, Herrmann W. Altered vitamin B12 status in recreational endurance athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2005;15:433–441. - PubMed

[5] Hayward R, Ruangthai R, Karnilaw P, Chicco A, Strange R, McCarty H, Westerlind KC. Attenuation of homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction by exercise training. Pathophysiology. 2003;9:207–214. doi: 10.1016/S0928-4680(03)00023-3. - DOI - PubMed

[6] Hayward R, Ruangthai R, Karnilaw P, Chicco A, Strange R, McCarty H, Westerlind KC. Attenuation of homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction by exercise training. Pathophysiology. 2003;9:207–214. doi: 10.1016/S0928-4680(03)00023-3. - DOI - PubMed

[7] Joubert LM, Manore MM. The role of physical activity level and B-vitamin status on blood homocysteine levels. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008;40:1923–1931. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31817f36f9. - DOI - PubMed

[8] Joubert LM, Manore MM. The role of physical activity level and B-vitamin status on blood homocysteine levels. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008;40:1923–1931. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31817f36f9. - DOI - PubMed

[9] König D, Bissé E, Deibert P, Deibert P, Müller HM, Wieland H, Berg A. Influence of training volume and acute physical exercise on the homocysteine levels in endurance-trained men: interactions with plasma folate and vitamin B12. Ann Nutr Metab. 2003;47:114–118. doi: 10.1159/000070032. - DOI - PubMed

[10] König D, Bissé E, Deibert P, Deibert P, Müller HM, Wieland H, Berg A. Influence of training volume and acute physical exercise on the homocysteine levels in endurance-trained men: interactions with plasma folate and vitamin B12. Ann Nutr Metab. 2003;47:114–118. doi: 10.1159/000070032. - DOI - PubMed

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Effect of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine concentration and association with training in handball players

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Effect of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine concentration and association with training in handball players

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