EFFECTS OF SUBMAXIMAL EXERCISE ON BLOOD BIOCHEMISTRY IN DISTANCE RUNNERS

Abstract

In this study, the effect of submaximal exercise on blood biochemistry in athletes new in distance running was investigated. Mid-level trained 15 male athletes, who were students in Physical Education and Sports High School, or at high school level with a mean age of 19.0 ± 3.0 yr and a mean performance age of 5.3 ± 2.5 were recruited in this study. Venous blood samples were taken into plain tubes (Vacutainer) just before the start of the run. Runners finished the distance of 3000 meters in an average of 9:45 ± 1:02 min. Venous blood samples were taken again 1 h, 2 h and 4 h following the test run. Blood glucose, urea, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, total protein, albumin, iron, TIBC, Ca and P levels, and AST, ALT, LDH, CK, GGT and ALP enzyme activity levels were determined using an autoanalyzer (ILL AB 1800). VLDL-C and LDL-C levels were obtained according to the Friedewald formula, transferrin levels were calculated as TIBC/1.25 and iron saturation (Fesat) levels as (TIBC/Fe).100. SPSS v 11.5 was used in the statistical analysis of the data, through descriptive statistics and Friedman's technique. A p value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. As a result, blood glucose, creatinine, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, TIBC, transferrin, total protein, albumin, LDH-C, Ca and P levels, and GGT and ALP activities increased at the 1st h. Blood urea, uric acid, triglyceride, VLDL-C levels, and AST, ALT and CK activities rose at the 4th h due to hemoconcentration and declinde to the pre-exercise levels after 24 h. This change was found to be statistically significant except for TG, VLDL-C and Fesat. Fe and Fesat parameters reached their highest levels at the end of 24 h. To conclude, almost all blood chemistry parameters were found to approach pre-exercise levels 24 h following submaximal exercise, in mid-level trained new distance running athletes.