effect of maximal versus supra-maximal exhausting race on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity and muscle-damage biomarkers in long-distance and middle-distance runners

Background: exhausting physical exercise increases lipid peroxidation and causes important muscle damages. the human body tries to mitigate these adverse effects by mobilizing its antioxidant defenses. objectives: this study aims to investigate the effect of a maximal versus supra-maximal race sustained until exhaustion on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity and muscle-damage biomarkers in trained (i.e. long-distance and middle-distance runners) and sedentary subjects. materials and methods: the study has been carried out on 8 middle-distance runners (mdr), 9 long-distance runners (ldr), and 8 sedentary subjects (ss). each subject has undergone two exhaustive running tests, the first one is an incremental event (vameval test), the second one is a constant supra-maximal intensity test (limited-time test). blood samples were collected at rest and immediately after each test. results: a significant increase in malondialdehyde (mda) concentrations was observed in ss and mdr after the vameval test and in ldr after the limited-time test. a significant difference was also observed between ldr and the other two groups after the vameval test, and between ldr and mdr after the limited-time test. significant modifications, notably, in myoglobin, ck, ldh, il-6, tnf-α, and tas were likewise noted but depending on the race-type and the sportive specialty. conclusions: maximal and supra-maximal races induce a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and cause non-negligible inflammation and muscle damage. these effects were relatively related to the physical exercise type and the sportive specialty.