Changes in plasmatic redox status following lowmoderate intensity interval exercise training in rhythmic gymnastics trainers

Abstract

Different types and intensities of exercise may induce varying levels of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants affecting plasma redox state in a specific way (Bloomer et al., 2005). The aim of our study was to investigate whether the plasmatic production of H2O2 and antioxidant capacity changed in response to a low-moderate intensity interval training session and after 48 hours of recovery in rhythmic gymnastics trainers. Ten women (age: 23.8 ± 3.42 y; weight: 52.58 ± 4.57 kg; height: 158.42 ± 2.20 cm; body mass index: 20.88 ± 1.23) with 13.14 ± 5.40 years of experience in rhythmic gymnastics and trainers from at least 4 years at a competitive level voluntarily participated in this study. One week before the training session, trainers performed a laboratory graded exercise test on the treadmill in order to determine their maximal heart rate (HRmax) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Following, they executed a interval training session at an average intensity of 57% FCmax, mainly in aerobic condition and only 2% of total time in anaerobic condition. The session included exercises typical of rhythmic gymnastics and a competition simulation. Immediately before and after the training session, blood samples were taken from trainers and H2O2 levels and antioxidant capacity were measured by dROMs and BAP test, respectively. The same think was performed after 48 h of recovery. After training, H2O2 levels were significantly lower than baseline; however they increased until to reach the baseline following 48 h of recovery. Antioxidant capacity decreased after training and was significantly higher than baseline after 48h of recovery. These results show that a low-moderate intensity interval training session of rhythmic gymnastics has different effects on ROS production and antioxidant capacity, and a regular exercise can protect the trainers by oxidative stress.