[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the intake of an isotonic sports drink (500 ml water, 32 gr carbonhydrate, 120 mg calcium, 248 mg chloride, 230 mg sodium) the level of the skeletal muscle damage of orienteering athletes. [Subjects and Methods] The study was carried out on 21 male elite orienteering athletes. The athletes were divided into two groups by randomized double-blind selection. The experimental group (n=11) was given the isotonic sports drink, while the placebo group (n=10) was given 500 ml pure water. Blood samples were taken pre-competition, post-competition, 2 hours post-competition and 24 hours post-competition. [Results] The pre-c troponin, myoglobin and creatinine kinase serum levels of the placebo group were significantly lower than the post-competition and 2 hours post-competition values. The 24 hours post-competition levels of the same analyses were also significantly lower than the post-c and 2 hours post-competition. The pre-competition troponin, myoglobin and creatinine kinase levels of the experimental group were found to be significantly lower than the post-competition, 2 hours post-competition 24 hours post-competition values. In conclusion, the present results suggest that the intake of supportive sports drinks before exercising significantly prevents the observed muscle damage. The study showed that serum myoglobin levels between the experimental and the placebo group is significantly different during the 2 hours post-competition period. [Conclusion] The level of serum creatinine kinase and myoglobin accurately shows the extent of the muscle damage. However, further studies on the effect of isotonic sports drink in different training programs on the cell membrane and the muscle damage are needed.
Keywords: Muscular damage; Orienteering athletes; Sports drinks.