Marked differences in redox status of professional soccer players depending on training types

Abstract

Objective: An intense physical activity cause inflammation and produces oxidizing molecules that physiologically "train" the body to restoring the homeostatic balance. It's alteration can lead to a sub-clinical pro-inflammatory state known as "oxinflammation." The aim of this study was to measure some inflammation and redox biomarkers in a team of soccer players during a competitive season to identify relationships between oxinflammation, nutrition, workloads, and athletic performances. Methods: Thirty four players were evaluated every 2 months from pre-until end-season (visits V0-V4). At each time, a panel of oxinflammatory biomarkers were measured: interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), total peroxides (derivates of Reactive Oxigen Metabolites), total antioxidant barrier (biological antioxidant potential), total (GSSG + GSH) and reduced (GSH) glutathione, vitamins A and E, beta carotene, lycopene, coenzyme Q10, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine. The nutritional program was customized for each athlete to ensure adequate supply of micro-and macro-nutrients. Starting from V2, following the replacement of the coach, the training program was suddenly changed, and the high intensity work was significantly increased. Results: Until V2, the oxinflammation balance remained still in equilibrium, and total and reduced glutathione were favorably increased (+19% and +16% vs. V1, respectively, p < 0.001). After the change of workloads, the inflammation had worsened decreasing GSH and sharply increasing 3-NT, marker of irreversible nitration (+ 1274% at V4, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Above a threshold, the eccentric exercise has altered the oxinflammatory balance. The nutritional intervention was partially able to counteract the alteration but, the worsening of balance at the end of season, showed that probably, it was much more conditioned by the physical overload. A customized balancing between training, rest period, and nutrition is, therefore, crucial, and the measurement of some oxinflammation markers, as hsCRP, GSH, and 3-NT, may be helpful to evaluate the state of fitness and recognize early the approaching of the over-training threshold.

Effect of post-training and post-match antioxidants on oxidative stress and inflammation in professional soccer players (Efecto de los antioxidantes post-entrenamiento y post-partido sobre el estrés oxidativo y la inflamación en jugadores profesionales d

“…On the other hand, selenium is related to endogenous antioxidant capacity , and a decrease in Selenium concentration between the two periods was observed. After analyzing our results, we observed that the ACTH value increased in the second measurement in January with respect to the October measurement, and this was in agreement with the evolution described by Bolner et al in 2019. It is unclear whether the protocol studied decreases muscle damage after training and matches, as although a decrease in AA/DHA and AA/EPA ratios was observed, these were not significant. EPA acts competitively against AA for the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes, which are key to reducing inflammation.…”