Cold-Water Immersion Promotes Antioxidant Enzyme Activation in Elite Taekwondo Athletes

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cold-water immersion (CWI) on lipid peroxides and antioxidant enzymes in adult Taekwondo athletes after a match. A cross-sectional study was performed. After a Taekwondo match, the control group remained seated passively, while the treatment gro...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eun-Hee Park, Seung-Wook Choi, Yoon-Kwon Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/6/2855
Description
Summary:The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cold-water immersion (CWI) on lipid peroxides and antioxidant enzymes in adult Taekwondo athletes after a match. A cross-sectional study was performed. After a Taekwondo match, the control group remained seated passively, while the treatment group immersed their legs below the knee joint in cold water at 10 °C. Blood samples were taken at pre-match, post-match, post-treatment, and post-rest, and changes in malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) concentrations were analyzed. The results showed that there was a significant difference in MDA between the two groups, and while the CWI group had 19% lower SOD concentration compared to the control group, and the difference was not significant. However, in case of interaction for GPx concentration (<i>p</i> < 0.001), a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In conclusion, CWI after a Taekwondo match elevates the concentration of antioxidant enzymes.
ISSN:2076-3417