Haematological Parameters and Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in High-Level and Low Professional Rugby Players on Full Season

Abstract

The objective of this work is to test the effect of training and competition charge oxidative stress, haematological and biochemical (GPX) parameters, and cell damage markers in rugby players during a competitive season. The subjects were 12 Italian rugby players who belonged to Italian rugby teams (National Rugby Championship, that is the Italian Championship group C South). Both haematological and biochemical (GPX) parameters were examined with and without in vitro addition of vitamin C. Seventeen professional rugby players from the same team playing in the top French professional rugby championship and in the top European professional rugby championship participated in this study. Concentation of \(\alpha\)-tocopherol was determined using HPLC. Neutrophils were determined with a Coulter STKS instrument. GPX data show that its activity is increased by the in vitro addition of Vitamin C (48\(\mu\)M final concentration), both in controls and rugby players. Haematological data reveal significant changes in the particulate fraction of blood from rugby players both before and after one match and confirm structural damage in this fraction. This type of strenuous exercise worsens GPX activity, and ascorbic acid alleviates this damage. Complete blood cell counts of athletes verify blood cell damage. Intense periods of training and competition induced a significantly higher oxidation of haematological and biochemical parameters than those observed at the reference time. In conclusion, rugby players have obvious cell count derangements, and water-soluble reducing Vitamin C alleviates oxidative damage in samples from test subjects who have been subjected to full match fatigue. The results also suggest that oxidative stress and antioxidant measurement are significant in the biological follow-up of athletes.