Irisin and redox status markers seem to share common pathways of exercise-induced upregulation. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of sprint interval swimming exercise dose and sex on the circulating levels of irisin and redox status markers in adolescent swimmers. Sixteen male and 16 female adolescent swimmers completed two sets of 4 × 50 m maximal freestyle swimming with a send-off time of 90 s, separated by 10 min of passive recovery. Venous blood samples were obtained pre-exercise (Pre), after the first set (Post1) and after the second set (Post2). Males had higher irisin levels than females. Reduced glutathione (GSH, μmol g Hb-1) increased from 8.6 (2.2) [pooled males and females, mean (SD) throughout] at Pre to 9.4 (2.1) at Post1 and Post2. Total antioxidant capacity (μmol DPPH mL-1) increased from 0.89 (0.17) at Post1 to 0.94 (0.16) at Post2. 8-hydroxy-2´-deoxyguanosine (ng mL-1) increased from 20.9 (6.9) at Pre and 21.5 (7.1) at Post1 to 25.0 (10.9) at Post2. Overall, sprint interval swimming exercise induced small but potentially effective changes in the studied parameters. Exercise dose influenced the GSH and 8-OHdG responses, and sex affected irisin levels.
Keywords: Myokine; anaerobic metabolism; antioxidant defense; oxidative damage; training status.