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The Impact of Anaerobic & Aerobic Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Cellular Fitness in Healthy Trained Young Men: A Randomized Trial
Hardiany N.S.
Current Molecular Medicine
Q2Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Anaerobic and aerobic exercise are known to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytokines, which may lead to oxidative stress when ROS accumulate. However, the findings are still inconsistent, with most studies focusing on short exercise durations. This study aimed to compare the effects of anaerobic and aerobic exercise on oxidative stress and cellular fitness in healthy trained young men. METHODS: A randomized trial was conducted involving 18 young male subjects, divided into two groups: anaerobic (short-distance running) and aerobic (long-distance running), with each group exercising three times per week for one month. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention. Malondialdehyde (MDA) reflected oxidative stress, ROS (H2O2), and antioxidant levels (total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase/SOD, glutathione peroxidase/GPX) were detected using spectrophotometry, while Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and ATPase Inhibitory Factor 1 (ATPIF1) reflected cellular fitness, were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: Both anaerobic and aerobic exercise significantly reduced MDA levels. Aerobic exercise significantly increased SOD and total antioxidant capacity, while anaerobic exercise resulted in decreased GPX levels. No significant changes were observed in HⁿOⁿ, IL-6, or ATPIF1 levels in either group. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that aerobic exercise enhances the body's antioxidant defense system more effectively than anaerobic exercise, contributing to reduced oxidative stress. The participants' trained status may have influenced the SOD response. Limitations include a lack of control over lifestyle variables and limited generalizability due to the homogenous sample. CONCLUSION: One month of exercise reduces oxidative stress in trained young men, with aerobic exercise showing greater benefits in boosting endogenous antioxidants.