Effects of Gender and Aerobic Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Haematological Parameters of Students of Physical Education

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of sex differences and aerobic exercise on oxidative stress and haematological parameters. The study had participants who were between 19- 20 years and consisted of 15 male and 15 female students of Physical Education in Delta State University, Abraka. The students were made to undergo rigorous aerobic exercise which involved running at an average speed of about 10 Kilometres / hour for about 1 hour and 20 mins. Blood Sample was taken from each student before and after the aerobic exercise and used for analysis. The plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of all the students (both sexes combined) was significantly (p < 0.05) increased after physical exercise. Similarly, the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the plasma of same group of students was significantly (p<0.05) increased after physical exercise. When the data obtained were analysed based on gender the activity of SOD was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in male students but increased in the females after aerobic exercise. Conversely, there was a significant (p<0.05) increase in extent of LPO in male students but a decrease in females after aerobic exercise. Analysis of the haematological parameters showed that only the white blood cell (WBC) count was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in all students after aerobic exercises. After aerobic exercise, the Hb concentration and RBC count were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in male students only. Similarly, male students had a significant (p<0.05) decrease in both HCT and WBC count after aerobic exercise but the females had no significant (p>0.05) change in these parameters. In conclusion this study shows that physical exercise can cause changes in oxidative stress and hematological parameters. The study also reveals that male participants were more vulnerable to oxidative stress and variations in hematological indices.