Effect of zinc supplement and weight lifting exercise on thyroid hormone levels

Abstract

The aim is to determine the effect of 6-week zinc supplement and weight lifting exercise on the thyroid hormone levels. Study participants were 40 males, age between 18-22 years; 20 sedentaries and 20 individuals who do physical exercises. Subjects were divided equally into 4 groups. Which is: The sedentary group (S) control group,Sedentary group which is supplied withonly zinc (Z+S),Training Group which is supplied with zinc (Z+T) and Athletes Group that train regularly (T). Zinc supplement was given 3mg/kg/day/6 weeks as oral. At the beginning of the study and after 6-week training, the blood samples were drawn from the participants before and after the treatments; and TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels of the participants were determined. It was identified that thyroid values of groups which were supplied with zinc decreased owing to the training and zinc supplement. Consequently, it is thought 6-week zinc supplement and exercise can contribute to the athletes’ performance by changing thyroid values positively. © 2017, Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India. All rights reserved.