title: The effects of 16 weeks of intensive cycling training on seminal oxidants and antioxidants in male road cyclists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of 16 weeks of intensive cycling training on seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in male road cyclists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated measures design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Exercise Physiology Laboratory of the Urmia University.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four healthy nonprofessional male road cyclists (aged 17-26 years) participated in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  All subjects participated in 16 weeks of intensive cycling training. The semen samples were collected, respectively, at baseline (T1), immediately (T2), 12 (T3), and 24 (T4) hours after the last training session in week 8; immediately (T5), 12 (T6), and 24 (T7) hours after the last training session in week 16; and 7 (T8) and 30 (T9) days after the last training session in week 16.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total antioxidant capacity and SOD were measured by colorimetric assay. The levels of ROS were measured by a chemiluminescence assay. Malondialdehyde levels were measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay. Catalase was measured by monitoring the initial rate of disappearance of hydrogen peroxide (initial concentration 10 mM) at 240 nm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of seminal ROS and MDA increased (P < 0.008) and remained high after 30 days of recovery. The levels of seminal SOD, catalase, and TAC decreased (P < 0.008) and remained low after 30 days of recovery (P < 0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sixteen weeks of intensive cycling training may have deleterious consequences for spermatozoa and hence may affect sperm healthy parameters in male cyclists.
authors.affiliation: *Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, Department of Exercise Physiology, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran; †Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, Department of Exercise Physiology, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran; and ‡Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: Behzad Hajizadeh
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Maleki
authors.forename: Bakhtyar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tartibian
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vaamonde
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D012661:Semen / Q000201:enzymology*; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase