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Br J Sports Med 2007;41:101-105 doi:10.1136/bjsm.2006.031591
  • Original article

Effect of off-road competitive motocross race on plasma oxidative stress and damage markers

  1. António Ascensão1,
  2. Rita Ferreira1,
  3. Franklim Marques3,
  4. Eduardo Oliveira2,
  5. Victor Azevedo2,
  6. José Soares2,
  7. José Magalhães1
  1. 1Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Porto, Portugal
  2. 2Department of Sports Biology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  3. 3Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  1. Correspondence to:
 Professor A Ascensão
 Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Porto, Porto 4200-450, Portugal: aascensao{at}fcdef.up.pt
  • Accepted 8 November 2006
  • Published Online First 30 November 2006

Abstract

Aim: To analyse the effect of an off-road motocross heat on plasma levels of oxidative stress and damage, blood leucocyte counts and urine catecholamine concentration.

Methods: Plasma contents of total, reduced and oxidised (GSSG) glutathione, %GSSG, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl and sulphydryl groups, total antioxidant status (TAS), uric acid, and blood neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were evaluated in 10 male top-level riders before, immediately after (0 h) and 1 h after a simulated competitive motocross race. 24-h urine adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine concentrations were also measured.

Results: The motocross heat resulted in an increase in plasma oxidative stress and damage (p<0.05). This was shown by a significant increase in %GSSG, TAS, MDA and carbonyls, and by a decrease in sulphydryl groups after the race. There was a significant increase in both plasma uric acid and urine catecholamine concentration after the race (p<0.05). Blood neutrophil counts increased at 0 and 1 h after exercise (p<0.05). Lymphocyte count increased from baseline to 0 h, although it decreased from baseline and 0 to 1 h after exercise (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The data reinforce the marked metabolic and hormonal demands imposed by motocross, resulting in a condition of enhanced plasma oxidative stress and damage.

Footnotes

  • Published Online First 29 November 2006

  • Competing interests: None declared.

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