Acute changes in antioxidants and oxidative stress to vigorous arm exercise: an intervention trial in persons with spinal cord injury and healthy controls

Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 2023 · DOI: 10.1038/s41394-023-00590-6 · Published: June 27, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Genetics Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how intense arm exercises affect oxidative stress and antioxidant levels in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) compared to healthy individuals. Oxidative stress happens when the body's defenses can't handle harmful free radicals, potentially causing damage. The research looks at various biomarkers in blood and urine to understand how the body responds during and after exercise.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

6 participants with chronic SCI and 6 matched able-bodied controls

Evidence Level

Intervention trial

Key Findings

1
SCI participants had lower baseline levels of certain antioxidants (α-carotene, β-carotene) and creatinine compared to controls.
2
Both SCI and control groups showed similar changes in oxidative stress and antioxidant levels in response to vigorous arm exercise.
3
Individual variation in urine biomarkers of oxidative stress was higher among SCI participants compared to able-bodied controls.

Research Summary

The study compared oxidative stress and antioxidant responses to high-intensity arm cranking exercise in individuals with SCI and able-bodied controls. SCI participants exhibited lower baseline levels of certain antioxidants but showed similar changes in redox status during exercise compared to controls. The findings suggest that the antioxidative response to high-intensity aerobic exercise is highly individual in the SCI population.

Practical Implications

Personalized Exercise Programs

Exercise programs for individuals with SCI should be individually adapted, considering their unique antioxidative responses.

Nutritional Strategies

Integrating nutritional interventions into exercise programs may help optimize antioxidative capacity and recovery in individuals with SCI.

Further Research

Future studies should explore the effects of combined nutritional and exercise interventions on oxidative stress in individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings.
2
Dietary intake of antioxidants was not examined.
3
The pre-test might have underestimated the peak VO2 in the able-bodied participants.

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