NCSF Sport Nutrition Specialist Certification (SNS) Practice Test

What is a common characteristic of endurance athletes regarding zinc?

1. They are often overloaded with zinc

2. They accumulate excess zinc in their muscles

3. They experience loss of zinc through sweat

4. They require no zinc supplementation

The correct answer is: They experience loss of zinc through sweat

Endurance athletes commonly experience a loss of zinc through sweat due to the prolonged and intense nature of their training sessions. Sweat contains various minerals, including zinc, which can lead to decreased levels of this essential nutrient when athletes sweat profusely during endurance activities. Zinc plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including immune function, protein synthesis, and wound healing, all of which are vital for athletes’ overall performance and recovery. Therefore, it is essential for endurance athletes to monitor their zinc levels and consider dietary sources or supplementation if necessary, especially during high-intensity training periods. The other options do not reflect the typical situation for endurance athletes. Overloading or accumulating excess zinc is not commonly seen; rather, it is the loss of zinc due to sweating that is more prevalent. Additionally, while some athletes may not require supplementation if they have a well-balanced diet, stating that they require no supplementation overlooks the potential for modest deficiencies resulting from their training.