Oxidative stress in young judokas: Effects of four week pre-competition training period

Background The effects of long-term exercise on steady-state dynamics of antioxidant defence system are not clear yet fully, and there is an evident lack of studies focused on combat sports. This study aimed to evaluate the parameters of oxidative stress in young judokas during four weeks pre-competition training period. Material/Methods: Changes of oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde, catalase, carbonyl and sulphydryl groups, and total antioxidant status) were studied during four week pre-competition training period on a sample consisting of 10 male judokas (age 20±1.3 years, sport experience 11±3.4 years). Results: The changes in all examined oxidative stress parameters showed no statistical significance. Results also suggested that well-developed anti-oxidant defence, particularly because of the superoxide dismutase activity, kept the amount of oxidized proteins unmodified. The explanation for this finding can be found in the facts that the subjects, although of young age, had a long training and competitive experience with the similar training programs and that they did not undergo rapid weight reduction. Conclusions: The obtained results suggest that four week pre-competition training period pattern had no effects on oxidative stress parameters in well-trained young judokas, and that natural antioxidant defences of the body responded adequately to complex training program.