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Increased oxidative stress indices in the blood of child swimmers

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Abstract

The blood redox status of child athletes is compared with that of age-matched untrained individuals. In the present study, 17 swimmers (10.1 ± 1.6 years) and 12 non-athletes (9.9 ± 1.1 years) participated. Reduced glutathione (GSH) was lower by 37% in swimmers compared to non-athletes (P < 0.01), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) was not different and their ratio (GSH/GSSG) was lower by 43% in swimmers compared to non-athletes (P < 0.01). Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances concentration was higher by 25% in swimmers compared to controls. Catalase exhibited a strong trend toward lower levels in swimmers (P = 0.08). Finally, total antioxidant capacity was found lower by 28% in swimmers compared to controls (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we report that children participating in swimming training exhibit increased oxidative stress and less antioxidant capacity compared to untrained counterparts and suggest that children may be more susceptible to oxidative stress induced by chronic exercise.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 26 Ploutonos str., 41221, Larissa, Greece

    Sofia Gougoura, Michalis G. Nikolaidis, Iason A. Kostaropoulos & Dimitris Kouretas

  2. Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Thessaly, Karies, 42100, Trikala, Greece

    Michalis G. Nikolaidis & Athanasios Z. Jamurtas

  3. Institute of Human Performance and Rehabilitation, Centre for Research and Technology Thessaly (CERETETH), Trikala, Greece

    Michalis G. Nikolaidis, Athanasios Z. Jamurtas & Dimitris Kouretas

  4. School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41221, Larissa, Greece

    Georgios Koukoulis

Authors
  1. Sofia Gougoura
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  2. Michalis G. Nikolaidis
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  3. Iason A. Kostaropoulos
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  4. Athanasios Z. Jamurtas
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  5. Georgios Koukoulis
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  6. Dimitris Kouretas
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Correspondence to Dimitris Kouretas.

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Gougoura, S., Nikolaidis, M.G., Kostaropoulos, I.A. et al. Increased oxidative stress indices in the blood of child swimmers. Eur J Appl Physiol 100, 235–239 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0423-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0423-x

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