Effect of high intensity interval training under hypoxic conditions in a normobaric environment on moderately trained university students’ antioxidant status

Abstract

Purpose: The effects of high intensity interval exercises on antioxidant defence system are not clear. Since there is an evident lack of studies focused on oxidative stress in moderately trained males following high intensity interval training, we investigated oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GPX], superoxide dismutase [SOD]) by completing a high intensity interval training program (HIITP) under hypoxic and normoxic conditions in a normobaric environment. Material: The study was carried out on moderately trained university students who had regular exercising habits. The participants completed 8-week wingate based high intensity interval training under normoxic and hypoxic conditions (2500 m.) in the normobaric environment. They were instructed to maintain their normal dietary practices during the study not to take any antioxidant containing vitamin tablets. Results: The interaction effect (time×group) for SOD (p=0.230), CAT (p=0.736), GPX (p=0.517), and MDA (p=0.596), revealed no significant change in repeated response. Conclusions: Although 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training significantly affected only SOD and GPX (p<0.05), the normoxic and hypoxic conditions did not present any significant change between treatments.