Abstract

This study aims to measure, then compare sedentary blood lipoproteins, oxidant- antioxidant state and oxidative stress index in volleyball players. The experimental group of the research consists of regularly practising 20 boys between the ages of 12 and 17, and the control group comprises 32 children practising no particular sports branch, 12 of which are the same age and gender. In order to measure blood lipoproteins and oxidant-antioxidants, venous blood samples are taken into EDTA tubes. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) is determined using a method developed by Erel (Erel, 2004). Lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels are measured using xylenol and Fe²⁺ (Arab and Steghens, 2004). Total Oxidant Status (TOS) is determined by a colorimetric method developed by Erel (Erel, 2004). Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) is calculated using the formula Total Oxidative Stress (TOS) /Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) (Erel, 2004). Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and VLDL parameters are measured using commercial kits (abbot) in automatic chemistry analyzer (Aeroset, Abbott, USA). It is found that there is no statistically significant difference between the groups of anthropometric parameters of subjects of control and experimental groups, as well as between lipoproteins, Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and VLDL (p>0.05), and that the statistical difference between the groups of TAC, TOS, LOOHs and OSI parameters was significant (p<0.05). Lipoproteins and oxidative stress parameters did not present any significant relation (p>0.05).  It is concluded that the increase in oxidant-antioxidant levels with respect to the control group is attributable to the excess oxygen consumed as a result of regular exercises which leads to oxidative stress.

Key words: Antioxidant, volleyball, lipoprotein, exercise, stress