Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 1991; 12(6): 563-566
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1024734
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Erythrocyte Free Radical Scavenger Enzymes in Bicycle Professional Racers. Adaptation to Training

P. Mena, M. Maynar, J. M. Gutierrez, J. Maynar, J. Timon, J. E. Campillo
  • Department of Physiology. Faculty of Medicine. University of Extremadura. Badajoz. Spain
This work was supported by a Grant from the Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia. Spain. (CICYT-DEP88-0760).
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the influence of endurance training on the activities of the scavenger enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) measured in erythrocytes from sedentary subjects, amateur bicycle racers and in professional bicycle racers who were cycling in two real cyclist contests including the top-class race Vuelta a Espana (VCE). Under resting conditions the SOD activity was higher (p < 0.01) in cyclists than in controls. The activities of CAT and GSH-Px were higher (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) under resting conditions in professional cyclists versus measured both in sedentary subjects and amateur cyclists. The enzyme activities were not modified significantly in professional cyclists after a bout of exercise of 22 km in 5 hrs, but the SOD activity was increased (p < 0.05) and CAT activity reduced (p < 0.05) after 2800 km in 20 days (VCE). The present results shown that aerobic endurance training, when at a professional level, produces an increase in the erythrocyte activities of the main free radicals scavenger enzymes.

Key words

Lipoperoxidation - exercise - superoxide dismutase - catalase - glutathione peroxidase - erythrocytes - cycling

      >