2014 Volume 31 Pages 66-71
A considerable problem of insufficient vitamin intake exists among athletes. The objective of this study is to reveal the total thiamin concentration in whole blood of university student athletes and general students of the same age group, and to investigate the possibility of a lack of thiamin due to a difference in the amount of exercise. The results showed that the distribution of thiamin concentration for both male and female general students was within the standard value, and that there was an almost normal distribution. In contrast, for the distribution of thiamin concentration in athletes, there was a lower frequency marking higher values compared with that in general students. In addition, as the average thiamin concentration in both male and female student athletes was significantly lower than that in general students, we hypothesized the possibility of a latent thiamin deficiency among student athletes. To clarify this issue, other blood examination items should be further reviewed.
