The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of short-term exercise on total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOHs), total oxidative status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) in handball players. A total of 20 amateur handball players participated in the study. Handball players were training regularly 3 days a week for 2 h. All subjects followed a circuit exercise program. Blood samples were collected just before and immediately after the exercise program. Antioxidant status was evaluated by measuring the TAC level in the plasma. Oxidative status was evaluated by measuring the total peroxide level. The percentage ratio of TAC to total peroxide level was accepted as the OSI. Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and VLDL were measured by automated chemical analyzer using commercially available kits. There was a significant increase in TOS (p < 0.05) and OSI (p < 0.01) levels and a significant decrease in TAC levels (p < 0.05) compared to the resting state. There were no significant changes in LOOHs levels before and after the short-term exercise. After short-term exercise, the balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant status moves towards oxidative stress as a result of increasing oxidants and decreasing antioxidants.

Key words: Handball players, antioxidants, oxidative stress, short-term exercise.