Comparing the effects of resistance exercise type on serum levels of oxidative stress and muscle damage markers in resistance-trained women

The Effect of Equipment-Based Pilates (Reformer) Exercises on Body Composition, Some Physical Parameters, and Body Blood Parameters of Medical Interns

BACKGROUND

Pilates is a type of exercise that exerts positive effects on body composition and general health. This study set out to investigate the effects of equipment-based Pilates (reformer) exercise on body composition, some physical parameters, and blood parameters of medical interns showing a tendency toward sedentary life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experimental group (EG) comprising 22 healthy internship students in the medical faculty performed Pilates reformer exercises for nine weeks. The control group (CG) consisted of 18 students who did not engage in any exercise program. The baseline and final parameters of all the participants were measured.

RESULTS

The mean age of the experimental group (EG) was 23.68±1.29 years, while that of the control group (CG) was 24.78±3.44 (p=0.089). A significant difference was evident between the performance pre-test and post-test scores of the EG (p<0.05). However, a significant positive difference was noted only between the waist pre-test and post-test results in the body composition measurements (p<0.05). A significant rise in HDL and fasting blood sugar levels and a decrease in insulin levels was observed in the post-exercise biochemical parameters measured in the EG (p=0.05). When the EG and CG were compared, a significant difference was found only in HDL cholesterol values in relation to the differences between the pre-test and the post-test groups (p=0.024).

CONCLUSION

The positive data from performance tests, especially with its HDL-increasing and insulin-lowering effects in the EG, implicate that Pilates reformer exercises can produce a favorable effect on the healthy living standards of medical interns.

Creatine Supplementation, Physical Exercise and Oxidative Stress Markers: A Review of the Mechanisms and Effectiveness

Oxidative stress is the result of an imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their elimination by antioxidant mechanisms. ROS degrade biogenic substances such as deoxyribonucleic acid, lipids, and proteins, which in turn may lead to oxidative tissue damage. One of the physiological conditions currently associated with enhanced oxidative stress is exercise. Although a period of intense training may cause oxidative damage to muscle fibers, regular exercise helps increase the cells' ability to reduce the ROS over-accumulation. Regular moderate-intensity exercise has been shown to increase antioxidant defense. Endogenous antioxidants cannot completely prevent oxidative damage under the physiological and pathological conditions (intense exercise and exercise at altitude). These conditions may disturb the endogenous antioxidant balance and increase oxidative stress. In this case, the use of antioxidant supplements such as creatine can have positive effects on the antioxidant system. Creatine is made up of two essential amino acids, arginine and methionine, and one non-essential amino acid, glycine. The exact action mechanism of creatine as an antioxidant is not known. However, it has been shown to increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the capability to eliminate ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). It seems that the antioxidant effects of creatine may be due to various mechanisms such as its indirect (i.e., increased or normalized cell energy status) and direct (i.e., maintaining mitochondrial integrity) mechanisms. Creatine supplement consumption may have a synergistic effect with training, but the intensity and duration of training can play an important role in the antioxidant activity. In this study, the researchers attempted to review the literature on the effects of creatine supplementation and physical exercise on oxidative stress.

Effect of Different Exercise Modalities on Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review

Exercise-induced benefits are being increasingly recognized in promoting health and preventing diseases. However, initial adaption to exercise response can have different effects on cells, including an increase in the formation of oxidants and inflammatory mediators that ultimately leads to oxidative stress, but this scenario depends on the exercise type and intensity and training status of the individual. Therefore, we aimed to understand the effect of different types of exercise on oxidative stress. Indeed, exercise-induced minimum oxidative stress is required for regulating signaling pathways. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, a search for relevant articles was carried out on PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar using a broad range of synonyms such as oxidants, reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, exercise, physical training, aerobic exercise, and strength exercise until 2019. This study selected a total of 18 articles for assessing the oxidative damage using various parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO), and F1-isoprostanes and enzymatic antioxidants. We observed that any type of exercise can increase the oxidative damage in an exercise type and intensity manner. Further, the training status of the individual and specific oxidative damage marker plays a crucial role in predicting earlier oxidative damage in the exercise condition. However, some of the studies that we included for review did not perform follow-up evaluations. Therefore, follow-up programs using larger numbers need to be performed to confirm our findings.