This study analyzed markers of oxidative stress in elite swimmers during different altitude training strategies at moderate altitude (2320m). 57 swimmers participated in training camps of 4 weeks (LoLo, HiHi4, HiLo) or 3 weeks (HiHi3) living and training at high or low levels. Blood samples measured oxidative damage markers (nitrites, lipid and protein oxidation) and antioxidants (glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase) before and during camps. The results showed that 4 weeks of training at altitude increased oxidative damage compared to sea level. The HiHi4 group saw increased free radicals at week 2, indicating a higher health risk. However, antioxidant defenses were maintained, as intracellular glutathione and enzyme

1. Rodríguez, F. , León-López, J. , Calderón, C. ,
Feriche, B. , Pérez-Sánchez, M. , Iglesias, X.
Oxidative stress markers in different altitude
training strategies in elite athletes. 18th Annual
Congress of the European College of Sport Science,
INEFC Barcelona. (Barcelona).
xiglesias@gmail.com
Sport Sciences Research Group INEFC Barcelona
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2. OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS IN DIFFERENT ALTITUDE TRAINING STRATEGIES IN ELITE ATHLETES
Rodríguez F.A.1, León-López J.2, Calderón, C.3, Feriche, B.4, Pérez-Sánchez, M.5, Iglesias, X.1
1 GRCE, INEFC-Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain), 2 Hospital Universitario San Cecilio (Granada, Spain), 3 CAR Sierra Nevada (Granada, Spain)
4 FCAFD, University of Granada (Granada, Spain), 5 Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves (Granada, Spain)
Aim
Hypoxia is known to induce oxidative stress in animal models and humans
due to increased oxygen uptake and electron drain at the mitochondrial
respiratory chain, resulting in increased biological tissue oxidation (Guzy &
Schumacker 2006).
During altitude training exposure two independent stimuli (intense exercise
and hypoxia) may have a cumulative effect on oxidative stress (Pialoux et
al., 2006).
We aimed to analyse the prooxidant-antioxidant balance during
different strategies of moderate altitude training in elite athletes.
Methods
57 elite swimmers took part in four training camps at moderate altitude
(CAR Sierra Nevada, 2320 m), living and training at “high” (Hi) or “low” (Lo)
level, using different strategies during a period of four (LoLo, HiHi4, HiLo)
or three weeks (HiHi3).
Biochemistry
Prooxidant-antioxidant balance was evaluated before (pre) and once a
week during the camp (wk1 to wk4, post in LoLo only) in peripheral blood
samples by measuring with different commercially available kits:
• Plasma free radical NO (nitrites)
• Lipid (LPO) and protein (carbonyls) oxidation
• Erythrocyte antioxidants glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulphide
(GSSG), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GRd)
Statistics
Two-way RM ANOVA was used for group comparisons. p<0.05 was
considered significant.
Results Conclusions
• Four weeks of training at altitude resulted in an increase of
oxidative damage markers compared to comparable training at sea
level
• The free radical NO increased in HiHi4 at the second week,
indicating a higher risk of health disturbances when living and
training at altitude in this group
• However, a seemingly adequate antioxidative defence was
maintained, since intracellular GSH, the ratio GSSG/GSH, and the
activity of GPx and GRd remained stable
References
Guzy RD, Schumacker PT (2006). Exp Physiol, 91(5):807-19
Pialoux V, Mounier R, Ponsot E, et al. (2006). Eur J Clin Nutr, 60, 1345-1354.
farodriguez@gencat.cat
Funding
Institute for Exercise and
Environmental Medicine
Research Partners
20
24
28
32
36
40
Nitrates(µM)
0
2
4
6
8
10
LPO(µM)
LoLo
HiLo
HiHi3
HiHi4
30
40
50
60
70
80
Carbonyls(µg/mg)
30
40
50
60
70
80
Carbonyls(µg/mg)
0
4
8
12
16
20
GRd(nmol/minmg)
0,0
0,5
1,0
1,5
2,0
2,5
GST(nmol/minmg)
0,0
0,5
1,0
1,5
2,0
2,5
3,0
pre wk1 wk2 wk3 wk4 post
GSH(nmol/minmg)
0,0
0,4
0,8
1,2
1,6
2,0
GSSG(nmol/minmg)
0,0
0,1
0,2
0,3
0,4
0,5
0,6
0,7
pre wk1 wk2 wk3 wk4 post
GSSG/GST
0
4
8
12
16
20
GPx(nmol/minmg)
Different from *pre, #wk1, $wk2, &wk3, †HiLo (p<0.05)
#
*#$&
#$
*# *#$&
*
††
*
* #
*
#