Effect of Maximal Versus Supra-Maximal Exhausting Race on Lipid Peroxidation, Antioxidant Activity and Muscle-Damage Biomarkers in Long-Distance and Middle-Distance Runners

 Said Mohamed 1, * ; Ncir Lamya 1 ; and Mansour Hamda 2
۱ Department of Biological Sciences Applied in Sports and Physical Education, Institute of Sports and Physical Education, Jendouba University, El Kef, ‎Tunisia
۲ Department Of Biological Sciences Applied in Sports and Physical Education, Institute of Sports and Physical Education, Mannouba University, Ksar-Said, Tunisia
*Corresponding author: Said Mohamed, Department of Biological Sciences Applied in Sports and Physical Education, Institute of Sports and Physical Education, Jendouba University, El Kef, ‎Tunisia.

Asian Journal of Sports Medicine

Background: Exhausting physical exercise increases lipid peroxidation and causes important muscle damages. The human body tries to mitigate these adverse effects by mobilizing its antioxidant defenses.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effect of a maximal versus supra-maximal race sustained until exhaustion on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity and muscle-damage biomarkers in trained (i.e. long-distance and middle-distance runners) and sedentary subjects.

Materials and Methods: The study has been carried out on 8 middle-distance runners (MDR), 9 long-distance runners (LDR), and 8 sedentary subjects (SS). Each subject has undergone two exhaustive running tests, the first one is an incremental event (VAMEVAL test), the second one is a constant supra-maximal intensity test (limited-time test). Blood samples were collected at rest and immediately after each test.

Results: A significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations was observed in SS and MDR after the VAMEVAL test and in LDR after the Limited-Time test. A significant difference was also observed between LDR and the other two groups after the VAMEVAL test, and between LDR and MDR after the Limited-Time test. Significant modifications, notably, in myoglobin, CK, LDH, IL-6, TNF-α, and TAS were likewise noted but depending on the race-type and the sportive specialty.

Conclusions: Maximal and supra-maximal races induce a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and cause non-negligible inflammation and muscle damage. These effects were relatively related to the physical exercise type and the sportive specialty.

Keywords: Lipid Peroxidation; Race; Exhaustion, Malondialdehyde; Inflammation; Muscle Damage; Runners

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