TITLE:
Oxidative Stress in Collegiate Cross Country Skiers in Mid- and Post-Seasons
AUTHORS:
Scott P. Jerome, Kriya L. Dunlap, Ava M. Parrish, Matthew L. Lowman, Emily M. Shipman, Lawrence K. Duffy, Arleigh J. Reynolds
KEYWORDS:
Oxidative Stress, 4-Hydroxynonenal, Superoxide Dismutase, Athletic Performance, Training Macrocycle
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.12 No.5,
May
16,
2024
ABSTRACT: Purpose: The oxidative stress (OS) hypothesis of overtraining syndrome argues that increased production of free radicals through exercise cause muscle fatigue and damage resulting in lower athletic performance. Several studies have investigated OS immediately before and after exercise bouts in a training macrocycle. Our study aimed to compare OS of endurance athletes between a competition macrocycle and the immediate post-season recovery macrocycle. In addition, we aimed to identify athletes who experienced an unexplainable drop in athletic performance during the competition season in order to compare their OS to those who experienced no drop in performance. Methods: Fifteen members of the University of Alaska Fairbanks cross country ski team volunteered for this study. Blood samples were taken in early February (“mid-season”) and late April (“post-season”). Participants completed questionnaires regarding physical activity and athletic performance at the time of the blood draws. Plasma was analyzed for 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), nitrotyrosine, nitric oxide (NOX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Significance was determined by Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: Participants displayed significantly higher (p Conclusion: Signs of oxidative stress and mitigation during the post-season recovery macrocycle were higher in athletes who reported experiencing a drop in athletic performance during the competition season macrocycle.