title: Anxiety associated with parachute jumping as the cause of blood red-ox balance impairment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess the effect of anxiety associated with parachute jumps on selected redox balance parameters in regular soldiers from airborne forces. The study allows estimating whether the paratroopers exposed to high level of mental stress are simultaneously under severe oxidative stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  The investigations were carried out on 46 professional soldiers from airborne forces divided into groups depending on the number of performed parachute jumps. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained under fasting conditions three times for the determination of selected parameters of red-ox balance: on an ordinary working day, on the day when the jump was performed and on the day after the jump. The time of the performed determinations was to reflect the initial balance of the organism, the state at the moment of stress and its effect on the organism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our investigations showed lack of differences in characteristics of the activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT and SOD) in response to mental stress depending on the experience of the investigated group in parachuting. Decrease in GSH-Px activity was demonstrated in response to mental stress in all the investigated groups. The TBARS level was higher in more experienced parachutists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The analysis of changes in selected redox balance parameters may be useful for monitoring anxiety associated with parachute jumps.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Farmakologii i Toksykologii UM w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Mateusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk
authors.affiliation: Zakład Farmakologii i Toksykologii UM w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kozak
authors.affiliation: Zakład Farmakologii i Toksykologii UM w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Julita
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ciećwierz
authors.affiliation: Zakład Alergologii i Rehabilitacji Oddechowej, II Katedra Otolaryngologii UM w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sienkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Zakład Farmakologii i Toksykologii UM w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kura
authors.affiliation: Zakład Farmakologii i Toksykologii UM w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Łukasz
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Jasiak
authors.affiliation: Zakład Farmakologii i Toksykologii UM w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology*; D001359:Aviation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anxiety; oxidative stress; parachute jumps