Acute CrossFit® Workout Session Impacts Blood Redox Marker Modulation

Abstract

We aimed to analyze the impact of a single CrossFit® session “workout of the day” (WOD) on plasma redox. Ten CrossFit®-experienced subjects volunteered to participate. Oxygen uptake (VO2) during WOD and treadmill running (TR), performed at the same VO2 and time as WOD, were continuously monitored. Venous blood samples were collected before (baseline—BL) and after both exercises, for lactate concentration, total antioxidant capacity, thiol content, and DNA damage measurements. Total antioxidant capacity decreased after both exercises (WOD and TR) vs. BL, with no differences between exercises. Thiol content increased after WOD; however, no differences between exercises were observed. DNA damage increased after both WOD and TR, although more exuberantly after WOD than TR. Much higher lactate levels were detected in WOD compared to TR. Our findings suggest that WOD induces an increased condition of oxidative injury and affects total antioxidant capacity in experienced CrossFit® performers.