Erythrocyte-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) among elite combat sport athletes running an intensive training program and the association with micronutrient intake

The improved consumption of high intensity antioxidants and long-term exercise has shown consistent results. Also, there is a possibility that combat sport impacts on the everyday nutritional practices of athletes, including dietary antioxidant. The objective of this study wasto investigate the correlation between micronutrient intake and erythrocyte SOD among elite combat sport athletes running intensive sport training program. This was a cross sectional study, where 49 professional combat sport athletes (karate, pencaksilat, judo, and wrestling) participated. Furthermore, food record was obtained 3 × 24 hours, while micronutrient intake and erythrocyte SOD level assessment required measurement by spectrophotometry. The age of subjects were 23.08±4.32 years, encompassing elite athletes performing a routine sport training 20-26 h/w for one years. In addition, everyone demonstrated a high erythrocyte SOD levels, with a mean of 2280.69 ± 285.65 U/g Hb. Meanwhile, most subjects exhibited micronutrient intakes that were lower than the dietary recommendation; 97.5%, 85%, 27.5%, 77%, 47.5%, of vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A, Zn, and Cu, respectively, and no significant correlation was reported against erythrocyte SOD levels, except for the females, where a significant positive correlation (r = 0.538, p = 0.04) was established against vitamin C intake. It was established that elite combat sport athletes training intensively at the sport program demonstrated high erythrocyte SOD levels. Also, the low nutrient intake recorded requires the invitation of dietetics professionals as sport nutrition consultant. In addition, it is strongly supported that athletes ingest food rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin C for females, in order to maintain high antioxidant capacity.