Blood antioxidant status in road cyclists during progressive (VO2max) and constant cyclist intensity test (MLSS)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of two different cycling intensities on the blood antioxidant status in seven road cyclists male (M) (age 25.6±4.9 years; height 1.8±0.0 m; body mass 72.4±3.4 kg, and VO2max 66.8±8.9 mL*kg-1*min-1) and six road cyclists females (F) (age 26.5±2.5 years; height 1.67 ±0.01 m; body mass 56.5±5.3 kg; and VO2max 57.2±4.1 mL*kg-1*min-1).

The experiment was carried out with two tests: a progressive test (VO2max) (TP), and a 30-minute submaximal steady state test (TMLSS). The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and creatine kinase, and the concentration of uric acid, reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde (MDA), blood lactate as well as total antioxidant potential, were assayed.

Exercise significantly differentiated the activity and level of antioxidants. In both tests, after exercise a significant increase of CAT (P≤0.05) and CK (P≤0.05) activity was observed, as well as MDA (P≤0.05) level.

It was demonstrated that neither the type of test (TP, TMLSS) nor the sex of the subjects exerted significant influence upon the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the level of low molecular weight antioxidants. Due to the workload in road cycling, where an average race or stage lasts a few hours, the 30-minute test was probably too weak a stimulus for the organism to disturb the pro- and antioxidative homeostasis.