The relationship between micronutrient intake and cardiorespiratory endurance and speed in adolescent basketball athletes in Makassar

¹ Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia
² Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Adequate micronutrient intake is essential for supporting physiological processes related to aerobic capacity and speed performance in athletes, yet evidence regarding its association with cardiorespiratory endurance and sprint performance remains limited. This study aimed to examine the relationship between selected micronutrient intake and cardiorespiratory endurance (VO₂ max) and sprint speed in Sahabat Basketball Club athletes. A cross-sectional design was applied involving 20 athletes aged 17–19 years. Daily intake of iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, vitamin B₁, and vitamin C was assessed using a 3×24-hour dietary recall. Cardiorespiratory endurance was evaluated using estimated VO₂ max, while speed performance was measured through a 30-m sprint test. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the associations between micronutrient intake and performance outcomes. The results showed that iron and magnesium intake were strongly and positively correlated with VO₂ max and negatively correlated with sprint time, indicating better aerobic capacity and faster sprint performance. Calcium intake was also significantly associated with both VO₂ max and sprint speed. Zinc and vitamin B₁ intake demonstrated moderate but significant relationships with aerobic capacity and speed, whereas vitamin C intake showed a weak association with VO₂ max and no significant relationship with sprint performance. In conclusion, adequate intake of key micronutrients, particularly iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B₁, is associated with improved cardiorespiratory endurance and sprint performance in athletes, highlighting the importance of micronutrient adequacy in sports nutrition strategies aimed at optimizing athletic performance.