Aerobic performance and antioxidant protection in runners

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is known to increase as a result of muscular contractile activity and this phenomenon may perturb the fine-controlled cellular redox homeostasis within cells and tissues. We studied the possible correlations between individual aerobic performance-related factors and the oxidative stress markers profile in the serum of thirty-five endurance male runners that experienced a modified Bruce-based maximal graded exercise test. Our investigation assessed the systemic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl content (PCC) and total antioxidant status (TAS). We found that redox-related parameters and aerobic performance indicators were correlated. Indeed, significant negative associations between TAS and PCC (r-value -0.7, p<0.001) and between TAS and total protein content (r-value -0.4, p=0.005) were observed. A significant positive association between total protein and PCC (r-value 0.4, p=0.012) was also revealed. Only a trend of negative correlation between serum total protein and anaerobic threshold (r-value -0.3, p=0.07) was found. Interestingly, different responses in MDA levels were elicited by the ergometric test as a function of the individual anaerobic threshold. High aerobic capacities may be promising anthropometric factors indicative of adapted biochemical environments featuring enhanced protection against the oxidative challenge elicited by both regular endurance training and single intense exercise bouts.