Introduction. Calcium is the most common macro-element in the human body. In addition to its building function it is also involved in a number of other processes, such as homeostasis, contractility of smooth and skeletal muscles or the regulation of blood pH and enzymes. Physical exercise causes a dynamic change in the deposition of calcium in bone. Calcium is present in the oral cavity, the hard tissues of teeth, dental plaque, gingival fluid and saliva. Aim of the study. An assessment of the influence of physical exercise during a progressive test with a measurable work value on the concentration of calcium in resting mixed saliva in athletes. A comparison of calcium concentration in the saliva of athletes before and after exercise with the concentration of calcium in the saliva of people not practising sport. Material and Methods. The study examined 117 men aged 18–26 years (av. 21.2), including 74 athletes (cyclists and students of Physical Education in Wroclaw before and after a progressive exercise test) and 43 men who are not professional sportsmen and who have not performed a progressive test. A marked resting rate of secretion of mixed saliva supernatant was used to determine the calcium concentration of resting mixed saliva. Photometric analysis was performed, using the diagnostic kit Alpha Diagnostic at a wavelength of 630 nm. In statistical analysis the Student’s t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis were used with a P value < 0.05. Results. The mean concentration of calcium before exercise was 3.65 ± 2.51 mg/dl and after exercise 6.20 ± 11.85 mg/dl (difference not significant). The concentration of calcium in the control group had a value of 3.84 ± 2.73 mg/dl and was also not significantly different compared to the athletes. There was a significant decrease in salivary flow rate caused by physical effort from approximately 0.33 ml/min to 0.29 ml/min (p < 0.01). The correlation analysis showed no significant interdependence between the time and the work performed and the concentration of calcium. Conclusions. 1. Exercise induces a slight increase in the calcium concentration in saliva. 2. Physical activity decreases salivary flow rate.

Key words: sport, progressive test, saliva, calcium.