Short-term moderate exercise program on oxidative stress related to maturity status in children

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a short-term moderate exercise program on oxidative stress related to maturity status in schoolchildren.METHODS: The study had two parts: a cross-sectional analysis using baseline measurements and a quasi-experimental part analyzing the effect of the six-week physical exercise program of moderate intensity. Dependent variables included antioxidant activity, total antioxidant capacity (AOX) and DPPH concentration, and oxidative markers like MDA and TBARs. Independent variable was the exercise program, with covariates like Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, and maturity status estimated by skeletal age and peak height velocity.RESULTS: In the cross-sectional analysis, the AOX and DPPH showed positive correlations with body fat and maturity status. AOX was higher in children with a higher waist-to-height ratio (P<0.05). A univariate analysis revealed that BMI, skeletal age, muscle mass, and body fat percentage were associated with AOX. In the quasi-experimental design, AOX and DPPH percentages decreased significantly by the exercise (P<0.05), while MDA and TBARS remained unchanged (P>0.05). The reduction in AOX was higher in those with advanced skeletal age and maturation status (early maturers) and correlated negatively with BMI and trunk fat mass. Schoolchildren with cardiometabolic risk experienced a greater decrease in AOX due to the exercise program (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The total antioxidant capacity is higher in children with overweight-obesity; in fact, children with overweight-obesity were those who decreased more their antioxidant capacity because of physical exercise. This elevated antioxidant capacity in overweight-obese children may be due to a compensatory effect to maintain the oxidant/antioxidant balance according to maturity status.