OXIDATIVE STRESS ASSESSMENT IN PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYERS: EVALUATION DURING A SPORT SEASON

BACKGROUND: There is a possibility that oxidative damage caused by intensive training periods might compromise the healthy status of the players as well as exercise performance [1]. The following up of d-ROMs (Reactive Oxygen Metabolites- derived compounds) and BAP (Biological Antioxidant Potential) during the professional soccer training process could be one of the indicators of the training effects. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes in oxidative balance due to an increased production of oxidant species and/or a decreased efficacy of antioxidant system, can lead to oxidative stress an emerging health risk factor involved in the aging and in many diseases, including inflammatory, infectious and degenerative disorders. METHODS: We included 35 professional soccer players from two soccer club of our National Soccer League in this study. 10 ml blood samples were obtained from the antecubital vein early in the morning and after centrifugation (800gx5min.), the supernatants were stored at -20°C until the assays. Plasma ROMs (mainly hydroperoxides) and biological antioxidant potential were measured respectively by d-ROM test and BAP test, (Diacron International s.r.l., Grosseto, Italy). Data have been compared by paired t test, differences were considered statistically significant at P<0.05. All sport medical examinations were conducted tree times: the first before the preparation phase, the second and the third during the competition phase. RESULTS: There were significant differences in plasma concentration of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) in response to the physical exercise showing the adaptation of antioxidant response in order to avoid oxidative damage (2). CONCLUSION: The results obtained show a different response to training during the season in a soccer club enrolled in this study, emphasizing that different training may influence changes in oxidative balance.