The relation between antioxidative ability and the diet of young swimmers.

Purpose: The comparison of nutrition of children with high level of physical activity in dependence on antioxidative efficiency expressed in Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma--FRAP adapted for saliva.

Material and methods: The group consisted of 74 pupils (43 boys and 31 girls) from swimming classes of Sport Championship School in Kraków. FRAP was measured in saliva with the use of colorimetric method and was presented in calculation per 1 gram of proteins. Three groups were separated on the basis of FRAP/ protein (g) values distribution of 15 and 85 percentile. In each group the comparison of particular nutritional components was done with taking into consideration the 24 hour nutritional recall.

Results: The statistically significant differences in nutrition were observed only in girls group in dependence on the FRAP values. These differences concerned energy and carbohydrates intake. Fats always provided more then 30% of energy, especially among children with high FRAP/ protein (g) value--34.3%. The shortage of proteins was not observed. The mean intake of calcium, and zinc was below and phosphorus, vitamin A and C intake was above the recommended level.

Conclusions: Non-enzymatic mechanisms of antioxidative efficiency (FRAP) are partially being modified by nutritional factors.