Exercise increases the plasma antioxidant capacity of adolescent athletes
Anja Carlsohn1, Sascha Rohn, Frank Bittmann
1Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany. carlsohn@uni-potsdam.de
Background:
The reactive oxygen species produced as a result of exercise might exceed an individual's antioxidant defence system. Various endogenous antioxidants are elevated in adult athletes, resulting in an improved antioxidant capacity. However, little is known about antioxidant defence in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine presumed adaptations of antioxidant capacity in exercising adolescents.
Methods:
Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), uric acid and nutritional antioxidants were measured in the plasma of 91 male and 98 female athletes (mean age 15.9 +/- 2.0 years) and compared to those of 18 male and 22 female sedentary controls (mean age 16.3 +/- 2.1 years). Antioxidant intake was calculated using 4-day dietary records.
Results:
Neither male nor female athletes showed differences in alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene or ascorbate intake compared to controls. Plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol and carotenoids in athletes and controls did not differ either. Nevertheless, athletes of both sexes had higher TEAC values than their respective controls (male athletes 1.48 +/- 0.22 mmol/l vs. male controls 1.23 +/- 0.19 mmol/l, female athletes 1.47 +/- 0.20 mmol/l vs. female controls 1.15 +/- 0.04 mmol/l, p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Regular exercise enhances antioxidant capacity in adolescent athletes, independently of their dietary antioxidant intake, which indicates activity-related adaptations.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:27Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
01:24Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
01:24Muscle Recovery and Fatigue