Question: 

The aging process is accompanied by cellular alterations, e.g. an increase in mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may counteract exercise-induced adaptation. The ROS-release has been also described in situations of intensive exercise. The present study investigated the ROS-generation in master swimming athletes before and after three months high intensity training (HIT).

Methodology: 

21 master swimming athletes (11 men, 8 women; age: 47.3±12.5 yrs) taking part in the German Master Swimming Championship participated in a HIT-intervention. Athletes performed a Pansold test (8 x 200m free style swimming)before and after the training intervention. ROS generation was measured by a photometric detection assay (FORTplus®, Callegari, Italy) in capillary blood taken from the ear.

Results: 

When considering the results of the whole group, ROS generation was significantly increased after the Pansold test. Basal ROS level was significantly increased after the high intensity training period. However, in this situation, no further increase in ROS was observed after the Pansold testing. When dividing the master swimmers by age into a group aged below (n=11) respectively over 50 years (n=10), it became obvious that the exercise increased ROS increase seen before the HIT intervention was only present in the athletes aged over 50 years before the training intervention. In addition, the increase in basal ROS after the training intervention was only present in the group aged over 50 years.

Conclusions: 

Exercise-induced cellular reaction and adaptation differ in older athletes. The generation of ROS may play a crucial role in this process and has to be further considered in master athletes performing HIT.