Oxidative Stress in Training, Overtraining and Detraining: from Experimental to Applied Research

Abstract

According to the hormesis theory, the responses of biological systems to stressors in exercise training may be explained by a U-shaped curve with inactivity and overtraining as the two endpoints. Both of these endpoints decrease physiological functions. Markers of oxidative stress may be important parameters for biological monitoring of athletes. Numerous studies have shown that acute exercise has the potential to induce oxidative stress, but regular exposure to an increased level of prooxidants leads to upregulation of the endogenous antioxidative defence system (ADS) of an athlete. Studies that explored the redox state in athletes during the competitive season showed that the antioxidative status changes depending on the training load and training phase. During the training season, a state of fatigue known as overtraining may occur, which results from an excessive training load. Oxidative stress has been suggested as one of the causes of overtraining syndrome. Based on the existing studies, it can be said that a connection exists, but whether oxidative stress is a cause or a consequence of overtraining is yet to be clarified. Furthermore, detraining (training reduction or cessation) leads to a partial or complete loss of training-induced anatomical, physiological and performance adaptations; therefore, it seems reasonable to assume that changes in ADS are also reversible.

Effects of High Intensity Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Untrained Humans: A Systematic Review

“…Many studies have shown that with the increase in oxygen consumption during exercise, the production of ROS increases [ 5 , 12 ]. When the ability of the antioxidant system is insufficient to counterbalance ROS production during exercise, oxidative stress occurs.…”

Is 3 Weeks of Exercise Enough to Change Blood Pressure and Cardiac Redox State in Hypertensive Rats?

“…Changes in redox status caused by swimming represent modification in an antioxidant enzyme, alters muscle gene expression thus contributing to exercise-induced adaptations to skeletal muscle. However, it should be taken into consideration that various factors influence the oxidative stress response to swimming training, such as type of exercise, intensity, duration, gender and age of athletes etc (13). Physical exercise may be of potential importance for prevention or treatment of hypertension or hypertension-associated pat.…”

Comparison of training and detraining on redox state of rats: gender specific differences

“…On the contrary, excessive production of ROS leads to a contractile dysfunction which is followed by muscle weakness and fatigue (Powers and Jackson 2008;Rahal et al 2014). It has been established that swimming training causes changes in antioxidant enzymes, alters muscle gene expression, thus contributing to exercise-induced adaptations to skeletal muscle (Venditti and Di Meo 1997;Elikov 2016;Ruzicic et al 2016). However it should be taken into consideration that various factors influence the oxidative stress response to swimming training, such as type of exercise, intensity, duration, gender and age of athletes etc.…”

“…However it should be taken into consideration that various factors influence the oxidative stress response to swimming training, such as type of exercise, intensity, duration, gender and age of athletes etc. (Ruzicic et al 2016).…”