INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown increase in the formation of oxygen reactive species after intense physical exertion. These events may increase the susceptibility of muscular cells to oxidative damage such as lipid per-oxidation. Thus, variations in training intensity as well as volume during the season may modulate the oxidative stress and influence in performance of athletes. AIM: To study the evolution of lipid peroxidation biomarkers in two moments of a periodized cycle of training and correlate it with swimming competitive performance. METHODS: 16 swimmers participated in this study (9 males and 7 females). Blood samples were collected in two periods of the training cycle: specific preparation training and tapering period. Species reactive to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) and total peroxides were determined as lipid peroxidation biomarkers. Creatine kinase was determined as a parameter of muscular cell damage. The technical index reached in the style of specialization of each athlete was used as a competitive performance parameter. The technical index was determined in the preparatory competition Trophy Electro Bonini carried out in the specific preparatory period and in the Championship of São Paulo State carried out in the end of the tapering period (769.6 ± 51.1 points) in comparison with the Trophy Electro Bonini (751.1 ± 55.7 points). Significant reductions In the TBARS concentration ((5.7 ± 2.9 vs 3.3 ± 2.2µmol/L) and total peroxides (45.1±20.6 vs 29.6±13.0 µmol H2O2/L) were found In the tapering period concerning the specific preparatory period. The same situation was not found for creatine kinase ((123.6 ± 60.1 vs 137.4 ± 74.9U/L). CONCLUSION: The significant decrease in the biomarkers of lipid peroxidation derived from the decrease in the volume and intensity of training after the tapering training demonstrates the influence of the training variations on the oxidative stress and its possible relation with performance.
lipid peroxidation; training; performance; swimmers
