Authors : Ahmad Baniata, Kamal Mansi, Talal Aburjai and Suha Adeeb
Abstract: Our main objective in this study is to assess the relationship between the serum levels of vitamin B12 and balance time and balance frequency among Jordanian top athletes. For this purpose, Force Platform, model (1603 stability) is used. The study group consists of 119 Jordanian top athletes, 67 males and 52 females, mean age 18.6±1 year, with training experience at least 5 years and with a minimal training load of 20 training h/week participated in different competitive sports (aerobic, aerobic-anaerobic and anaerobic). A group of healthy 35 male and 46 female adolescents (control group), matched for age and gender was also, included (n = 81). Significant differences (p<0.05) between experimental and control groups were detected for vitamin B12 (379.79±141.89, 148.81±23.83 pg mL-1, respectively), balance time (16.68±6.28, 8.96±0.57, respectively) and balance frequency (4.94±4.16, 7.59±4.16, respectively). No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed for the measured variables between males and females in the experimental group. Females have shown higher values both in vitamin B12 and balance frequency compared to males in the control group. Sheffe post hoc test and correlation values did not show any statistical difference between the levels of vitamin B12 from one side and balance time and balance frequency from the other side. We conclude that the Jordanian top athletes have higher values of B12 compared to none athletes, without any effects on the balance time and balance frequency.
Ahmad Baniata, Kamal Mansi, Talal Aburjai and Suha Adeeb, 2009. The Effect of Vitamin B12 Deficiency on Balance among Competitive Jordanian Top Athletes. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 4: 874-881.