Evaluation of oxidative stress status in top soccer and basketball players

Aim - Evaluation of oxidative stress status. Methods and results - Mean values in antioxidant vitamins, sulphydryl proteins and selenium were found to be in a normal range in the blood of top soccer (n = 21) and basketball (n = 9) players at the end of half a season of regular training and competitition. Glutathion peroxidase levels were higher than the mean superior value in fourteen players, suggesting a possible adaptation to oxidative stress induced by physical exercise. Conclusion - Despite an apparent normal antioxidant status, the presence of such an oxidative stress is confirmed in half of the players as evidenced by elevated levels in autoantibodies against oxidized lipoproteins. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.