Effect of short-term maximal exercise on biochemical markers of muscle damage, total antioxidant status, and homocysteine levels in football players.
OBJECTIVE
Prolonged physical exercise results in transient elevations of biochemical markers of muscular damage. This study examined the effect of short-term maximal exercise on these markers, homocysteine levels (Hcy), and total antioxidant status (TAS) in trained subjects.


METHODS
Eighteen male football players participated in this study. Blood samples were collected 5-min before and 3-min after a 30-s Wingate test.


RESULTS
The results indicated that plasma biochemical markers of muscle injury increased significantly after the Wingate test (P<0.05). Moreover, significant increase of white blood Cells and their main subpopulations (i.e. monocytes, neutrophiles, and lymphocytes) (P<0.001) has been observed. Likewise, uric acid, total bilirubin, and TAS increased significantly after exercise (P<0.05). However, Hcy levels were unaffected by the Wingate test (for 3-min post-exercise measurement).


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term maximal exercise (e.g. 30-s Wingate test) is of sufficient intensity and duration to increase markers of muscle damage, and TAS; but not Hcy levels. Increases in the selected enzymes probably come primarily from muscle damage, rather than liver damage. Moreover, increase of TAS confirms the Wingate test induced oxidative stress.
Research Laboratory ''Sport Performance Optimisation'', National Center of Medicine and Science in Sport.
Omar
O
Hammouda
Hamdi
H
Chtourou
Anis
A
Chaouachi
Henda
H
Chahed
Salyma
S
Ferchichi
Choumous
C
Kallel
Karim
K
Chamari
Nizar
N
Souissi
Antioxidants; Exercise; Homocysteine; Injury; Muscles; Wingate Test