Introduction:

the situations of stress among which physical exercise is included imply the possibility of an excessive production of free radicals and, by their action, an oxidative stress in the cells. To combat these effects, cells have defense mechanisms called antioxidant systems.

Objectives:

the objective of this study is to analyze the possible physiological changes in relation to parameters related to oxidative stress (MDA) and antioxidant activity (vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E) in the erythrocytes of professional soccer players, in comparison with untrained subjects.

Methods:

forty-two men divided into 21 soccer players (SG) (24.95 ± 3.03 years) and 21 sedentary students (CG) (23.71 ± 2.42 years) participated in the study. Their basal levels of MDA, vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E in erythrocytes, as well as their anthropometric characteristics and VO2max, were evaluated.

Results:

significant differences were observed in the anthropometric characteristics (p < 0.05) and VO2max (p > 0.01). SG presented statistically lower levels of MDA (p > 0.01), vitamin C (p > 0.05), vitamin E (p > 0.05) and vitamin A (p > 0.01).

Conclusions:

there is higher oxidative stress in soccer players than in sedentary players and it may be necessary to supplement with antioxidants in this group

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