CSSD Micronutrient Needs in Athletes 2

Question 1

Why are B-vitamins particularly important for athletes with high training loads?

Accepted Answer

They serve as coenzymes in carbohydrate, fat, and protein energy metabolism

Answer

They directly increase muscle protein synthesis rates

Answer

They act as primary antioxidants neutralizing exercise-induced free radicals

Answer

They enhance glycogen loading capacity in skeletal muscle

Question 2

Which micronutrient deficiency is most strongly associated with impaired immune function and delayed wound healing in athletes?

Accepted Answer

Zinc

Answer

Vitamin B12

Answer

Calcium

Answer

Folate

Question 3

High-dose antioxidant supplementation (e.g., vitamins C and E) in athletes may:

Accepted Answer

Potentially blunt beneficial training adaptations such as mitochondrial biogenesis

Answer

Consistently improve endurance performance by reducing muscle fatigue

Answer

Enhance muscle protein synthesis when combined with resistance training

Answer

Increase non-heme iron absorption when taken with meals

Question 4

Which vitamin is essential for red blood cell maturation and is of particular concern for vegan athletes?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin B12

Answer

Vitamin C

Answer

Vitamin D

Answer

Vitamin A

Question 5

Magnesium contributes to athletic performance primarily through its role in:

Accepted Answer

Energy production (ATP synthesis), protein synthesis, and muscle contraction regulation

Answer

Oxygen transport from lungs to working muscle

Answer

Synthesis of hemoglobin and myoglobin

Answer

Absorption of calcium in the small intestine

Question 6

Athletes training in hot environments have increased requirements for which micronutrient primarily because of sweat losses?

Accepted Answer

Sodium (and other electrolytes)

Answer

Vitamin K

Answer

Vitamin A

Answer

Vitamin E

Question 7

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) requirements may be modestly elevated in athletes because it functions as:

Accepted Answer

A coenzyme in oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain, which intensifies with training

Answer

A structural component of bone that increases with mechanical load

Answer

A direct precursor to testosterone and anabolic hormones

Answer

An antioxidant that reduces exercise-induced lipid peroxidation