Antioxidative system capacity after a 10-day-long intensive training course and one-month-long recovery in military cadets

Optimization of training and minimization of injuries are topical for the physical performance of military personnel. Physical and psycho-emotional load, fatigue, sleep deprivation, and dietary limits can lead to the development of oxidative stress (OS) and injuries in specific military training. This study investigated markers of OS and muscle damage in military cadets after a 10-day-long intensive training course and a one-month-long recovery. The sample included 42 cadets (2 females and 40 males) aged from 22 till 34. Myoglobin, catalase activity (CAT), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), and total antioxidants capacity (TAC) in plasma were measured. OS was assessed by the glutathione index. The results revealed an increasing level of myoglobin, increasing glutathione index, and no
changes in CAT, SOD, and TAC during the intensive training course. After the one-month-long recovery, myoglobin was back to normal, the activity of CAT and TAC was higher than before and after the training course, while SOD did not change after the recovery. The glutathione index decreased after the one-month-long recovery, but it was not reached the initial level before the intensive training. In sum, the observed grade of OS positively affected the capacity of the antioxidative system with some sign of a need for a longer rest.