Impact of physical exercise on some key components of the antioxidant system in wrestling athletes

The so-called "lipid peroxidation–antioxidant defense" (LPO–AOD) system in the human body functions both as a target of various internal and external stressors and as a key component in the body's adaptive response to environmental influences. Physical activity in its various forms acts as a stimulus for development, adaptation, and the pursuit of previously unattainable goals. Adaptation to the systematic physical exertion typical of athletic training leads to significant changes in the LPO-AOD system. These changes are influenced by the nature of training loads, including their duration, intensity, and frequency, and are closely linked to the energy substrates utilized, depending on the sport. The use of LPO-AOD system parameters to evaluate an athlete’s physical fitness during long-term training is of particular interest. The aim of this study was to assess the state of the LPO-AOD system, specifically, the level of lipid peroxidation and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the blood serum of speed-strength athletes over the course of an annual training cycle. The study was conducted on young freestyle wrestlers. Parameters evaluated included the serum concentrations of lipid peroxidation products - diene conjugates and malondialdehyde, as well as the activity levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase, measured at different stages of the annual training cycle under the influence of physical load. Significant alterations in the LPO–AOD system were observed in the serum following intense training loads. The concentrations of malondialdehyde and diene conjugates, key lipid peroxidation metabolites, increased significantly, while the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase exhibited statistically significant changes. These alterations were most pronounced at the end of the competitive season.