Effect of resistance exercise on free radical production

• Published in: Medicine and science in sports and exercise Vol. 30; no. 1; p. 67
• Main Authors: McBride, J M, Kraemer, W J, Triplett-McBride, T, Sebastianelli, W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.1998
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Creatine Kinase - drug effects; Creatine Kinase - metabolism; Exercise - physiology; Free Radicals - metabolism; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation - physiology; Male; Malondialdehyde - blood; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal - pathology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Vitamin E - administration & dosage; Weight Lifting - physiology
• ISSN: 0195-9131
• DOI: 10.1097/00005768-199801000-00010

The purposes of this investigation were to see whether free radical production changed with high intensity resistance exercise and, secondly, to see whether vitamin E supplementation would have any effect on free radical formation or variables associated with muscle membrane disruption. Twelve recreationally weight-trained males were divided into two groups. The supplement group (S) received 1200 IUs of vitamin E once a day (3 x 400 IU x d[-1]) for a period of 2 wk. The placebo group (P) received cellulose-based placebo pills once a day for the same period of time. Creatine kinase activity was significantly elevated between preexercise and immediately postexercise, 6 h postexercise, and 24 h postexercise for both groups. The placebo group also had a significant increase in creatine kinase activity at 48 h postexercise. There was a significant difference in creatine kinase activity between the groups at 24 h after exercise. Plasma malondialdehyde significantly increased from preexercise levels for the P group at 6 and 24 h postexercise. Plasma malondialdehyde concentrations significantly increased in the S group between preexercise and immediately postexercise levels. This study indicates that high intensity resistance exercise increases free radical production and that vitamin E supplementation may decrease muscle membrane disruption.