Effects of Regular Taekwondo Intervention on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Myokines in Overweight and Obese Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: Regular exercise can alleviate oxidative stress related to obesity and can induce secretion of myokines that are involved in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. There are no studies examining changes in these variables as a result of Taekwondo training intervention. We aimed to investigate the effect of Taekwondo training on oxidative stress and myokine levels in overweight and obese adolescents. Methods: We randomly assigned 20 overweight and obese adolescents to control (control group; CG, n = 10) and experimental (experimental group; EG, n = 10) groups. The EG performed Taekwondo training five times a week for 16 weeks. Physical parameters (height, weight, body mass index (BMI)), physical fitness (maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max) (cardiorespiratory endurance), grip and leg strength (muscular strength), sit-and-reach (flexibility), Sargent jump (power), and stork stand test (balance)) were measured before and after intervention. We measured levels of serum oxidative stress markers (plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) and myokines (serum interleukin-15 (IL-15), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, and myostatin). Results: The weight and BMI in the EG after intervention were significantly lower and leg strength (muscular strength), sit-and-reach (flexibility), and Sargent jump (power) were significantly improved compared to those of the CG (p < 0.05). There were no significant interaction effects in terms of height, VO 2 max, grip strength, or stork stand test (p > 0.05). The SOD and BDNF level after intervention were significantly higher in the EG after the intervention, whereas MDA and irisin levels were significantly lower than those of the CG (p < 0.05). There were no significant interaction effects in terms of serum IL-15 and myostatin levels (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Taekwondo training can reduce obesity and increase physical fitness with respect to muscular strength, flexibility, and power as well as alleviate oxidative stress and modulate myokine secretion in adolescents. pulmonary, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems, inducing comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, and steatohepatitis [1]. Oxidative stress increased by obesity can exacerbate the severity of these diseases [5][6][7][8]. In particular, fat accumulation correlated with systemic oxidative stress, and increased fatty acids level increased oxidative stress through nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activation [5,8]. Treatment with NADPH oxidase inhibitors decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in adipose tissue and attenuated dysregulation of adipocytokines, improved diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis [5].A bout of high intensity exercise induces excessive ROS production that is linked with lipid and peroxidation, having deleterious impact on cells and tissues [9]. However, regular exercise with proper intensity is an effective way to prevent and improve obesity by increasing the activatio...

The Role of Antioxidants Supplementation in Clinical Practice: Focus on Cardiovascular Risk Factors

“…The combination of excess production of ROS and inefficient antioxidant capacity generates oxidative stress, which represents one of the main mechanisms underlying the development of obesity [141]. Many studies demonstrated enhancement of the antioxidant barrier (SOD, CAT, GPx, and TAC [141,148,149,151,153]) with a simultaneous decrease of glutathione. The concentration of the products of oxidative damage to proteins (AGE) [151], lipids (MDA) [141,148,151], and DNA (8-OHdG) [142,147,151], as well as total oxidative status, were significantly higher in both saliva and plasma of overweight and obese subjects.…”

“…The measure of some markers like catalase and TAC could be used to assess the central antioxidant status of overweight and obese [151]. In hypercholesterolemic subjects, the higher level of oxidative stress could be due to a higher concentration of SOD [143,148,151]. Finally, Loffredo et al analyzed the interplay among oxidative stress, NOX2, the catalytic core of NADPH oxidase in children with obesity and/or hypercholesterolemia.…”

Effect of Regular Taekwondo Self-Defense Training on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Markers in Postmenopausal Women

“…In addition, a 8-week Tai Chi training (a traditional Chinese martial art) increased erythrocyte GPX activity and total plasma antioxidant status in pre-and post-menopausal sedentary women [34]. Additionally, in a study involving 16 weeks of Taekwondo exercise in 20 overweight and obese adolescents, the SOD level was higher and the MDA level significantly lower in the Taekwondo exercise group than in the CG [35]. This reduction in oxidative stress induced as a result of physical activity and exercise as reported in previous studies is similar to our observations, since the exercise intensity of Taekwondo self-defense training in this study was at HRR 40-70%, which is within the range of effective moderate-intensity exercise.…”

Effects of Acute Taekwondo Exercise on Antioxidant Enzyme Activities, Serum Total Antioxidant Capacity, and Malondialdehyde Concentration in Adolescent Female Taekwondokas

“…The current study took place under the supervision of a qualified and experienced TKD coach at the Mashhad Taekwondo Home (Razavi Khorasan province, Iran) one month after the end of the provincial TKD season (14). The study began at 11:00 a.m. and lasted for about 1.5 h. The protocol started by jogging and plyometric and stretching exercises for 20 min as a warm-up.…”

“…As a popular combat sport, TKD has been found as a useful exercise regimen for the physical education of students. In this regard, several study groups have suggested that TKD is effective for enhancing physical fitness and growth development and improving body composition in growing participants (14). The TKD athletes, on the other hand, perform intensified technical training and physical fitness in the pre-competition training period.…”