Effect of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism on free radical generation swimmers

Purpose: In this study, changes in antioxidant systems due to free radicals were investigated in short distance (100-m) and long-distance (800-m) swim mers, within whom the anaerobic and aerobic metabolisms dominate, respectiv ely. Methods: For this study, swimmers aged between 15and -21 yr swam 800 m (N = 10) and 100 m (N = 9). Venous blood samples were taken before swimmin g, and at 1-, 20-, and 40-min intervals after swimming. Lactate, catalase ( CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels we re determined in tile blood samples. Results: The increase of lactate level s was statistically significant in the swimmers, both after the 100- and 80 0-m distances as compared with the preswimming levels (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 ). Catalase activity was increased in the first minute postswimming as comp ared with preswimming levels. Catalase activity then decreased at the 20- a nd 40-min intervals as compared with the I-min postswimming interval, at bo th 100- and 800-m distances (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). GPx activity was also in creased in the first minute after swimming as compared with preswimming lev els. GPx activity then decreased at the 20- and 40-min intervals when compa red with the 1-min postswimming level. This occurred in both 100- and 800-m swimmers (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). GSH activity was decreased in the first m inute after swimming, compared with the preswimming levels. GSH activity th en increased at the 20- and 40-min postswimming intervals, as compared with the first-minute level. Again, this occurred in both the 100- and 800-m sw immers (P < 0.001, P < 0.01). Conclusion: We concluded that both long-dista nce and particularly short-distance (100-m) swimming increased the activiti es of antioxidant defense enzymes.