Metabolic and electrolyte changes during recovery from exercise with and without a preparation for recovery

Seven young females and 1 male participant (between 24 and 29 years of age) were subjected to a 3,200-m run through uneven terrain. After the run, capillary blood samples were drawn for the determination of pH, pCO 2 , pO 2 , base excess (BE), HCO 3 , ionized magnesium (Mg), and lactate. 30, 60, and 90 minutes after the run, additional blood samples were taken to assess the metabolic situation during recovery. One week later, the candidates received two sachets of an effervescent preparation containing amino acids, vitamins, herbal antioxidants, trace elements, and electrolytes. Among them, a total of 300 mg Mg immediately after running and the same sampling times as in the control group were used. It turned out that the group averages of pH, BE, and HCO 3 were already significantly higher at 30, 60, and 90 minutes after the run in the test group than in controls. Correlation analyses further show that recovery of test persons is significantly faster, especially in those participants most affected by the running. Additionally, there is no “oxygen trapping” in the blood due to increased pH during the recovery period in test persons.