Effect of Moderate and High Resistance Training Intensity on Indices of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the effect of moderate (MR) and high resistance (HR) training on systemic inflammation and circulating enzymatic antioxidant activity. Thirty males were assigned to HR (n = 10), MR (n = 10), or control (C; n = 10) groups. Resistance training was performed for eight weeks. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), creatine kinase (CK), and concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured before and after training in plasma. The results show increased SOD activity in MR (p = 0.026) and HR (p = 0.044) groups. GPX activity in HR (p = 0.012) and MR (p = 0.037) increased significantly more than in C. Whilst a significant reduction in MDA in MR (p = 0.013) and HR (p = 0.023) was observed compared with C, no significant difference in IL-6, TNF-α and CK occurred between groups. We conclude that changes in enzymatic antioxidant defense and inflammatory markers following resistance training are independent of training intensity.

Effect of carbohydrate restriction on oxidative stress response to high‐intensity resistance exercise

“…The current findings also support the speculation that intensity of exercise is a stronger predictor to OS responses as opposed to modality alone . Azizbeigi et al reported both moderate‐ and high‐intensity resistance training interventions are similarly effective at reducing markers of OS and inflammation for a period of 8 weeks . Although, it is important to note this intervention allowed one to 4 minutes of rest between sets; therefore, the suggestion of exercise intensity alone not being a significant predictor of antioxidant effects of chronic resistance exercise cannot be applied to a HIRE or CrossFit style protocol, such as the one currently utilized.…”

“…This is not surprising since exercise-induced ROS accumulation is known to produce markers of OS and inflammation. 11,19 This is an especially meaningful finding since the exercise protocol only lasted on average between 5.4 and 6.6 minutes. This is also in agreement with our study design suggesting that intensity, as by its definition, is an appropriate tool for mediating ROS production.…”

“…Yet, the short duration HIRE protocol was effective in eliciting a small, but significant, increase in plasma glucose, MDA, and TNF‐α. This is not surprising since exercise‐induced ROS accumulation is known to produce markers of OS and inflammation . This is an especially meaningful finding since the exercise protocol only lasted on average between 5.4 and 6.6 minutes.…”

“…In addition to dietary modifications, a range of exercise modalities and intensities—including high‐intensity steady‐state aerobic exercise and resistance training—have been shown to induce acute OS which may serve as a trigger to up‐regulate endogenous antioxidants . Although the literature shows favor to an increase in ROS production when eccentric muscle actions are involved, more information is needed regarding to the impact of intensity (ie, low, moderate, or high) in relation to the resulting magnitude of OS . To date, only one study has investigated the OS response of a very high‐intensity CrossFit style resistance training (HIRE) protocol .…”

“…1 Although the literature shows favor to an increase in ROS production when eccentric muscle actions are involved, 1 more information is needed regarding to the impact of intensity (ie, low, moderate, or high) in relation to the resulting magnitude of OS. 11 To date, only one study has investigated the OS response of a very high-intensity CrossFit style resistance training (HIRE) protocol. 12 Therefore, the purpose of the current study was twofold: (a) to determine if short duration HIRE would elicit significant increases in markers of OS and inflammation and (b) to investigate if a LCHF diet would significantly impact biomarkers of antioxidant status and OS after following either a WD or LCHF diet.…”