Oxidative stress increases in overweight individuals following an exercise test

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine whether the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) causes oxidative stress and evaluate the impact of dietary antioxidant intake, fitness level, and body composition on changes in oxidative stress. Forty-seven overweight subjects were asked to perform an APFT. Creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured before, immediately after, and 24 hr postexercise. CK significantly increased immediately postexercise and at 24 hr postexercise. CRP and GPX signifi-cantly increased immediately postexercise, whereas SOD did not change significantly. Antioxidant intake, fitness level, and body composition were found to significantly influence changes in CK, GPX, and SOD after exercise. In conclusion, the APFT causes oxidative stress in overweight subjects. The associations between dietary antioxidants, fitness level, and body composition seen with each of the biomarkers provide support for future research in this area. Copyright © Association of Military Surgeons of the US. All rights reserved.