Published in:
01-12-2016 | Original Article
Resistance training induces protective adaptation from the oxidative stress induced by an intense-strength session
Published in: Sport Sciences for Health | Issue 3/2016
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Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a resistance training (at least 6 months of practice) would be beneficial in improving trained subjects’ response to oxidative stress.
Methods
The study evaluated 19 volunteers aged between 18 and 32 years, who were divided into two groups: sedentary and trained. In order to induce an oxidative stress condition, all individuals participated in a single intense-strength session. Volunteers’ blood was collected before and after the exercise practice, which was used later on for biochemical analyses (TBARS, uric acid and activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase). Furthermore, physical fitness of the participants was evaluated through high-yield tests (strength, agility and aerobic endurance).
Results
We found that all measured physical fitness variables were superior in the trained subjects. Additionally, sedentary individuals presented higher levels of plasma malondialdehyde after the intense exercise session (157 % higher; 1.9 ± 1.1–4.9 ± 3.1). No difference was found in uric acid concentration between groups. An increase of SOD activity (50 % greater; 0.4 ± 0.19–0.6 ± 0.12) was also demonstrated in the erythrocytes of sedentary subjects after the exercise practice. SOD activity did not change in the trained group. On the contrary, CAT activity increased only in the trained subjects (48.2 % greater; 2.7 ± 0.9–4.2 ± 1.2).
Conclusion
Resistance training was effective in increasing participants’ physical fitness, and also in improving their response to the oxidative stress induced by an intense exercise practice. This mechanism may help trained subjects to improve their performance and health.