Affiliations: [a] Selçuk University, School of Sports and
Physical Education,Konya,Turkey | [b] Gazi University, School of Medicine, Department of
Physiology, Ankara, Turkey | [c] Dokuz Eylul University, School of Physiotherapy and
Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey | [d] Gazi University, School of Sports and Physical
Education, Ankara, Turkey
Abstract: Exercise increases the generation of oxygen free radicals and lipid
peroxidation. The aim of this study was to investigate the oxidant and
antioxidant status in sedentary middle-aged (36.8 ± 5.4 years, n=20) and
postmenopausal women (51.4 ± 3.3 years, n=11) before and after acute
calisthenic exercise. Both subject groups performed an acute calisthenic
exercise for 55 minutes. The intensity of the exercise was 60–70% of
maximal heart rate, as determined by Karvonen et al. Plasma malondialdehyde
(MDA), gluathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AA) and nitric oxide (NOx) levels were
determined spectrophotometrically. The postmenopausal group's pre-exercise MDA levels were high and GSH
levels were low, compared with those of the middle aged group. This result
indicated increased lipid peroxidation after menopause. In both groups, plasma
MDA levels and NOx levels increased and plasma AA levels decreased following
calisthenic exercise. The present study indicates for the first time that
plasma MDA levels increase significantly after a bout of acute calisthenic
exercise, involving all large muscle groups at 60–70% of maximal heart
rate while plasma AA levels decrease concurrently. These effects may be due to
increased lipid peroxidation in both middle aged and postmenopausal women. The
finding of low plasma GSH levels and high plasma MDA levels in the
postmenopausal group suggests the possible development of a disturbance in the
oxidant and antioxidant status after menopause. Reduced levels of AA following
acute calisthenic exercise might indicate the consumption of plasma
antioxidants protecting the plasma lipids against the damage of lipid
peroxidation.
