The effect of extreme sports on oxidative stress

Background & Study Aim: Despite the high risk of extreme sports, participation rates have increased in the last years. Rafting and paragliding are two of the most popular extreme sports. The aim of this study was the effect of rafting and paragliding exercises in males on oxidative stress situation and antioxidant status. Material & Methods: Seventeen male rafters and ten male paragliders voluntarily participated in the study. The inclusion criteria were: non-smoker, no known history of cardiovascular disease, body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2, and no intake of medications or antioxidant supplements. Blood samples were taken at rafting and paragliding practices' a day before and after the sporting activities. The data were statistically analysed with Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Rafting activity increased the values of the total antioxidant situation (TAS), paragliding exercises decreased the level of TAS while paragliding increased the level of total oxidative stress (TOS). Differences existed between the group only before activities in TAS values. Conclusions: The specific property of the rafting workout is to stimulate of participants to cope with oxidative stress by activating the antioxidant status. In turn paragliding exercises increase oxidative stress due to the danger element in the sport and perhaps requiring the participants stay at a high altitude, in some situations, during its practice.