Investigation of the Effects of an Acute Bout of Isokinetic Exercise on Dna Damage in Active Male Subjects

Abstract

Purpose: Isokinetic exercise is used to reduce strength imbalance and to enhance performance. Although previous studies presented alterations on DNA induced by different exercise types; effects of eccentric type of exercise applied with an isokinetic test device on DNA damage assessed by Comet analysis is not known. The effect of the Present study was designed to explore the time course of possible DNA damage following an acute bout of isokinetic exercise. Materials and Methods: 11 healthy, male, active subjects (mean age 19.45±0.31, Body mass index 22.05±0.51) were enrolled. They performed eccentric contractions of knee flexors and extensors with dominant leg on a dynamometer (Humac Norm Testing Rehabilitation system, CSMI Medical Solutions, USA). Isokinetic hamstring, quadriceps strength was recorded at eccentric (30, 120°s-1) angular velocities. Blood was obtained before, after and 2 days following the exercise. DNA damage was measured by Comet analysis. Friedman test was used for statistical analysis, p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In terms of DNA damage parameters following isokinetic exercise tail length (18.76±3.08 vs. 16.21±1.14; p=0.027) was significantly decreased, whereas it was increased again on the 2nd day following the exercise compared to the post-exercise value (16.21±1.14 vs.18.33±1.23; p=0.011). Conclusion: Tail length reduction is directly proportional to the decrement of DNA damage. Lowered tail length immediately after the exercise suggests that the applied isokinetic exercise may positively influence genotoxicity. This favorable effect returns within 2 days. © 2019, Pamukkale University. All rights reserved.