Effects of Maximal Anaerobic Exercise on Neutrophil Oxidants/Antioxidants in among the Sportsmen Trained at Various Levels

Abstract

The influence of very high intensity exercise on antioxidant capacity and oxidative burst activity of neutrophils in sportsmen with various levels of training status were examined. Blood samples from sportsmen with high (n=12, 5 hours training program for a week), moderate (n=9, 2-5 hours training program for a week), and low physical activity (n=11, less than 2 hours training program for a week) were collected to determine superoxide anion production, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity and TBARS in neutrophils before and after an “anaerobic loading coordination test”. The pre-exercise values of SOD activity were significantly higher in high and moderate physical activity groups in comparison with the low physical activity group (p<0,05). The TBARS levels of the low physical activity group was higher than the moderate and high physical activity groups during both pre and post-exercise periods (p<0, 05). A training program of 2-5 hours per week may be a beneficial strategy to up-regulate the antioxidant defense system in neutrophils.