Biochemical Effects of Long-Term Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Markers in Adolescent Female Athletes

Background: Adolescence is a critical period where exercise-induced oxidative stress is modulated by both training adaptations and hormonal changes, particularly the antioxidant effects of estrogen in females. However, data on how adolescent female athletes respond to long-term exercise remain limit...

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Main Authors: Ömer Faruk Bilici, Dilara Erkan, Dan Iulian Alexe, Dragoș Ioan Tohănean, Canan Demir, Cristina Ioana Alexe, Virgil Ene Voiculescu, Muhammed Fatih Bilici, Héctor Fuentes-Barria, Ulas Can Yildirim
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/7/809
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author Ömer Faruk Bilici
Dilara Erkan
Dan Iulian Alexe
Dragoș Ioan Tohănean
Canan Demir
Cristina Ioana Alexe
Virgil Ene Voiculescu
Muhammed Fatih Bilici
Héctor Fuentes-Barria
Ulas Can Yildirim
author_facet Ömer Faruk Bilici
Dilara Erkan
Dan Iulian Alexe
Dragoș Ioan Tohănean
Canan Demir
Cristina Ioana Alexe
Virgil Ene Voiculescu
Muhammed Fatih Bilici
Héctor Fuentes-Barria
Ulas Can Yildirim
author_sort Ömer Faruk Bilici
collection DOAJ
description Background: Adolescence is a critical period where exercise-induced oxidative stress is modulated by both training adaptations and hormonal changes, particularly the antioxidant effects of estrogen in females. However, data on how adolescent female athletes respond to long-term exercise remain limited. The aim of this study was to examine oxidative stress levels and some antioxidant defense parameters in adolescent female athletes who train regularly. Methods: The study included 20 adolescent female basketball players (16.65 ± 0.67 years; 165.50 ± 0.06 cm; 59.75 ± 5.50 kg) with at least three years of training experience and 20 non-athlete adolescent female participants (16.80 ± 0.69 years; 159.95 ± 0.04 cm; 60.15 ± 4.23 kg). Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) levels were analyzed by a spectrophotometric method using a UV/VIS spectrophotometer in blood samples taken from all participants, and the data were compared between the groups. Results: The results showed that MDA levels were significantly lower in the athlete group (<i>p</i> < 0.01; d = 4.78). In addition, CAT activity was significantly higher in athletes compared to non-athletes (<i>p</i> < 0.01; d = 7.81). However, no significant difference was observed in GSH levels between the groups (<i>p</i> > 0.05; d = 0.15). A strong negative correlation was found between MDA and CAT (r = −0.900). Conclusions: These findings suggest that prolonged exercise reduces oxidative stress and enhances catalase-mediated antioxidant defense in adolescent women. Increased CAT activity and decreased MDA levels support this effect, while stable GSH levels point to the role of compensatory mechanisms.
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spelling doaj-art-13bae14b52004db48c9c3aa2d154dbea2025-08-20T03:58:27ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-06-0112780910.3390/children12070809Biochemical Effects of Long-Term Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Markers in Adolescent Female AthletesÖmer Faruk Bilici0Dilara Erkan1Dan Iulian Alexe2Dragoș Ioan Tohănean3Canan Demir4Cristina Ioana Alexe5Virgil Ene Voiculescu6Muhammed Fatih Bilici7Héctor Fuentes-Barria8Ulas Can Yildirim9Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Kartal, İstanbul 34865, TürkiyeDepartment of Physical Education and Sports, Institute of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Gölbaşı, Ankara 06830, TürkiyeDepartment of Physical and Occupational Therapy, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău, 600115 Bacău, RomaniaFaculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transilvania University of Brașov, 500036 Brasov, RomaniaDepartment of Medical Services and Techniques, Van Health Services Vocational School, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Tuşba, Van 65090, TürkiyeDepartment of Physical Education and Sports Performance, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău, 600115 Bacău, RomaniaNaval Tactics and Armament Department, Faculty of Marine Engineering, Mircea cel Batran Naval Academy, 900218 Constanta, RomaniaDepartment of Coaching Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Muş Alparslan University, Suvaran, Muş 49160, TürkiyeVicerrectoría de Investigación e Innovación, Universidad Arturo Prat, Iquique 1110939, ChileDepartment of Coaching Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sinop University, Osmaniye, Sinop 57100, TürkiyeBackground: Adolescence is a critical period where exercise-induced oxidative stress is modulated by both training adaptations and hormonal changes, particularly the antioxidant effects of estrogen in females. However, data on how adolescent female athletes respond to long-term exercise remain limited. The aim of this study was to examine oxidative stress levels and some antioxidant defense parameters in adolescent female athletes who train regularly. Methods: The study included 20 adolescent female basketball players (16.65 ± 0.67 years; 165.50 ± 0.06 cm; 59.75 ± 5.50 kg) with at least three years of training experience and 20 non-athlete adolescent female participants (16.80 ± 0.69 years; 159.95 ± 0.04 cm; 60.15 ± 4.23 kg). Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) levels were analyzed by a spectrophotometric method using a UV/VIS spectrophotometer in blood samples taken from all participants, and the data were compared between the groups. Results: The results showed that MDA levels were significantly lower in the athlete group (<i>p</i> < 0.01; d = 4.78). In addition, CAT activity was significantly higher in athletes compared to non-athletes (<i>p</i> < 0.01; d = 7.81). However, no significant difference was observed in GSH levels between the groups (<i>p</i> > 0.05; d = 0.15). A strong negative correlation was found between MDA and CAT (r = −0.900). Conclusions: These findings suggest that prolonged exercise reduces oxidative stress and enhances catalase-mediated antioxidant defense in adolescent women. Increased CAT activity and decreased MDA levels support this effect, while stable GSH levels point to the role of compensatory mechanisms.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/7/809oxidative stressantioxidantsadolescentfemaleathletesexercise
spellingShingle Ömer Faruk Bilici
Dilara Erkan
Dan Iulian Alexe
Dragoș Ioan Tohănean
Canan Demir
Cristina Ioana Alexe
Virgil Ene Voiculescu
Muhammed Fatih Bilici
Héctor Fuentes-Barria
Ulas Can Yildirim
Biochemical Effects of Long-Term Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Markers in Adolescent Female Athletes
Children
oxidative stress
antioxidants
adolescent
female
athletes
exercise
title Biochemical Effects of Long-Term Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Markers in Adolescent Female Athletes
title_full Biochemical Effects of Long-Term Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Markers in Adolescent Female Athletes
title_fullStr Biochemical Effects of Long-Term Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Markers in Adolescent Female Athletes
title_full_unstemmed Biochemical Effects of Long-Term Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Markers in Adolescent Female Athletes
title_short Biochemical Effects of Long-Term Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Markers in Adolescent Female Athletes
title_sort biochemical effects of long term exercise on oxidative stress and antioxidant markers in adolescent female athletes
topic oxidative stress
antioxidants
adolescent
female
athletes
exercise
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/7/809
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