Relationship Between Dietary Calcium Intake and Muscle Performance in Young Adults
Cassidy Dailey, Dale Rodgers, Andrew Weaver, Dr. Pragya Sharma Ghimire
Muscle strength and power are key elements to enhance sports skills and activity daily living. Minerals play an important role in muscle contraction, bone metabolism, and other physiological function in the human body. The importance of calcium has been well studied in bone metabolism, however, there is still a research gap in understanding the relationship between calcium intake and muscle performance. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary calcium intake and muscle performance in college-aged students. Methods: This was a non-randomized cross-sectional study participated by 70 college-aged students age ranges (18-24 yrs) old. The dietary calcium intake questionnaire was used to estimate the amount of calcium consumed daily based on the content of the specific foods. Lower and upper body strength were assessed by vertical jump test and handgrip dynamometry, respectively. Results and Conclusion: The average calcium intake was found to be 1098 mg/day. A statistically significant positive relationship was observed between jump velocity (r= 0.31; p<0.01), and relative power (r=0.35; p<0.01) with calcium intake. The result suggests that calcium intake was related to lower body muscle performance.
Cassidy Dailey graduated from Abbeville High School and is a senior exercise science major with an emphasis on physical therapy. She holds membership of American College of Sports Medicine, as well as the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She is also a member of Physical Education and Exercise Science Club at Lander University. Her research interests include sports nutrition and the effects of calcium on muscle performance. She is actively involved in a research project with PEES faculty.
Dale Rogers graduated from Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, SC. She is a junior exercise science major with an emphasis on physical therapy. She played volleyball during her first two collegiate years at Lander and is also a member of the Physical Education and Exercise Science Club. Her research interest includes neuromuscular performance, body composition, and sports nutrition. She is also actively involved in research projects along with PEES faculty.
Andrew Weaver is a senior exercise science major with an emphasis in clinical exercise physiology. Currently, he holds membership of American College of Sports Medicine. He is also a member of the Physical Education and Exercise Science Club at Lander. His research interest includes exercise performance and body composition. He is actively involved with research projects along with PEES faculty.