CHANGES IN PROOXIDATIVE - ANTIOXIDATIVE BALANCE IN ROWERS FOLLOWING ERGOMETRIC EXERCISE TEST OF MAXIMAL INTENSITY.

The study was carried out on 24 athletes, who performed a 2000 m rowing ergometer test at the maximum rate and power of rowing. Before the exercise, one minute after its termination, and after the subsequent 24 hours, blood samples were drawn from the antecubital vein. The following parameters were evaluated in the blood: antioxidative enzymes activity (SOD, GPx) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Furthermore, the concentration of serum creatine kinase (CK) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) were assessed. The study results revealed that the rowers' peak exercise resulted in a significant increase in SOD, TAC and CK activity and free radical injury measured with TBARS concentration. During a 24-hour recovery period, none of the parameters evaluated returned to the rest values, which indicates persisting disturbances of the antioxidative defense mechanisms. The results of the study showed that intensive physical exercise increased free radical injury, in spite of an adaptive response of the antioxidative defense system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]