Effects of supplementation with orally effective Superoxide Dismutase, GliSODin, on oxidative stress, inflammation and performance in athletes

Supplementation with plant origin superoxide dismutase (GliSODin) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study conducted to assess the effects of supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress, exercise-induced inflammation and performance in athletes. Study included group of elite rowers and group of recreational athletes. For all rowers participating this study exercise performance was tested on rowing ergometer at the beginning of the study. Test on ergometer was conducted with increased exercise load. For males it was 2 minutes rowing with increasing load for every session like this: 150W (watt), 200W, 250W, 300W, 400W , and individual maximal effort, with 5 minutes pauses between session and 8 minutes pause before maximal effort attempt. For females load increased like this: 150W, 180W, 220W, 250W, 300W , and individual maximal effort, with same pause schema. Test on rowing ergometer lasted for 40 minutes. Rowers trainers and medical technician, beside research team, were monitoring the test. Same test was conduced after 6 weeks of supplementation. During this 6 weeks rowers were training according to the schedule determined by their trainers, once daily, 6 or 7 days a week, duration of every training session was 1 hour and 30 minutes. After initial testing, rowers have been taking GliSODin (250mg), 2 capsules every day, one hour before training on days with training or one hour before breakfast on days without training, during 6 weeks period. Sport performance of recreational athletes was tested at the beginning of the study on a treadmill machine. All athletes were running for 30 minutes on 70-75% of VO2max and after that they have done usual training in a gym. After initial testing, recreational athletes have been taking 2 capsules of GliSodin (250mg) only on the days they were having training (3 times a week), one hour before training, during 6 weeks. Training load was individualized for each athlete by personal coach with incremental increase in training load. Recreational athlete had 3 training sessions a week for 6 weeks, duration of sessions was 1 hour. All participant were asked to avoid using any other supplement or medicines. Every use of medicines must have been reported to research team. Intervention adherence was monitored by capsules returned to the research team and by trainers whose task was to lead the record of training for every participant.