Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Danesh Alborz University, Qazvin, Iran
2
Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran
3
Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Background and Purpose
Oxidative stress is considered a major risk factor in the onset and progression of metabolic syndrome, as well as in the development of diabetic complications and vascular inflammation. Regular physical exercise is a key component of a healthy lifestyle that helps prevent the occurrence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Resistance training, by coordinating the neuromuscular systems and involving enzymes and hormones during exercise while using fats as training fuel in heavier exercises, creates conditions in which the level of oxidative stress increases. Walnut oil acts as an agent against oxidative stress. The anti-inflammatory properties of walnut oil have been confirmed by their effect on the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and MCP-1. Therefore, the current study investigates the effect of resistance training and walnut oil consumption on some oxidative stress parameters in athletes.
Materials and Methods
The present study was an experimental study with a statistical population of female athletes aged 25 to 35 years, with an average weight of 63.75 ± 3.48 kg. The samples were randomly divided into four groups of ten: Group 1 (walnut oil consumption), Group 2 (resistance training), Group 3 (walnut oil consumption + resistance training), and Group 4 (control). Exercise training was performed for 8 weeks, with 3 sessions per week. In the first two weeks, the resistance training program started with an intensity of 70% of one repetition maximum, and then every two weeks, the training load was increased by 5% of one repetition maximum. In the supplement and supplement with exercise groups, the walnut oil dosage was 15 cc of walnut oil per day, 4 capsules containing 1.25 cc, taken with meals (three times a day) by the participants, according to previous studies. At each stage of blood collection (two stages during the study), about 5 cc of blood was taken from the subjects' brachial vein and transferred to test tubes. Then, the samples were immediately centrifuged by the machine for 10 minutes and 3000 rpm; the serum of the samples was separated and collected in microtubes and frozen and stored at -20 degrees for examination and testing. The Zell bio human kit made in Germany with a sensitivity of 0.03 (u/ml) was used to measure oxidative stress levels. The dependent t-test was used to examine intra-group changes, and the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to compare between groups in SPSS version 25 at a significance level of 0.05.
Results
The results of the dependent t-test indicated that there was a significant difference in the amount of intra-group changes in the variables under study (superoxide dismutase, reactive oxygen species, and catalase) in all three intervention groups (P < 0.05). However, in the control group, no significant difference was observed in any of the variables under study between the pre-test and post-test (P < 0.05). To compare the effects of exercises and the supplement group on the measured variables in women, the analysis of variance test was used to determine the differences between groups in the post-test. The results of the analysis of variance test showed that following the implementation of 8 weeks of intervention, a significant increase in the SOD variable was observed in the walnut oil group (P = 0.01) and the resistance training + walnut oil group (P = 0.02). However, in the resistance training group (P = 0.11), no significant difference was observed compared to the control group (P = 0.22). Additionally, in the walnut oil group (P = 0.00) and the resistance training + walnut oil group (P = 0.01), a significant increase in the CAT variable was observed (P = 0.65). On the other hand, in the walnut oil group (P = 0.00) and the resistance training + walnut oil group (P = 0.01), a significant decrease in the ROS variable was observed compared to the control group (P = 0.57). In the post-test, there was a significant difference between the four groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Dietary supplements, especially herbal ones, counteract oxidative stress due to their high antioxidant levels. In fact, it seems that the compounds in herbal supplements affect the body's antioxidant capacity and prevent excessive and severe increases in muscle damage markers. Additionally, by increasing antioxidant capacity, they inhibit the synthesis of free radicals, resulting in less damage to cell membranes and reducing the levels of various oxidant agents. According to the findings of this study, following resistance training, the levels of antioxidant factors such as SOD and CAT decreased, while ROS levels increased. On the other hand, antioxidant factors such as SOD and CAT increased after walnut oil consumption, while ROS levels decreased. Overall, it seems that resistance training can increase free radicals and affect the antioxidant system in the body, creating conditions for serious damage caused by oxidative stress. Furthermore, the consumption of herbal supplements such as walnut oil increases antioxidant factors, thereby reducing the destructive effects of oxidants on the cell lipid membrane and the activity of oxidant enzymes.
Article message
According to the results of this study, it seems that consuming walnut oil increases antioxidant capacity and reduces cellular damage by decreasing ROS, improving cellular activity, and reducing muscle damage.
Ethical Considerations
This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Sports Science Research Institute, in accordance with the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, with the code of ethics (IR.SSRC.REC.1402.057).
Authors’ Contributions
Conceptualization: (Saeid Shamlou)
Data Collection: (Ehteram Eftekhari, Saeid Shamlou)
Data Analysis: (Saeid Shamlou, Ehteram Eftekhari)
Manuscript Writing: (Raha Rassolnia, Saeid Shamlou)
Review and Editing: (Saeid Shamlou)
Responsible for funding: (Ali Hemmati Afif)
Literature Review: (Saeid Shamlou, Ehteram Eftekhari)
Project Manager: (Ali Hemmati Afif)
Conflict of Interest
According to the authors, this article has no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments
We sincerely thank all participants who assisted us in conducting this research. The research costs were covered by the authors.
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