The Effect of Skullcap Supplementation after a Session of Simulated Karate Activity on Some Antioxidant Indicators, Oxidative Stress and Selected Muscle Damage in Elite Karate Athletes

Karate is considered as one of the most intense and challenging exercise due to its intensity and types of activities. In these activities, the body is inflicted by the number of injuries and its antioxidant capacity is disturbed. Therefore, the present study was aimed at assessing the responses of muscle damage markers, oxidative stress and plasma antioxidant enzymes to the simulated karate activities and supplementation of skullcap plant in the elite karate athletes. Twenty-four eligible elite karate athletes were randomly assigned to two groups, consisting of placebo-activity group (n=12) and skullcap-activity group (n=12). The considered activities were based on the World and European Karate Championships programs. First, blood samples were taken from research groups at the rest and then desired activities were performed by athletes. Next, the second blood sampling was taken, immediately after the activity and after that, the subjects in placebo and skullcap groups received 500 mg of placebo and skullcap capsules, respectively. The third blood samples were taken one hour after that and the fourth blood sampling was two hours after taking the supplement. Finally, plasma was removed from the blood and CK, LDH, MDA, GPx, TAC, and SOD indicators were measured.Results showed that the indicators of muscle damage and oxidative stress significantly increased (p < /em> < 0.001) immediately after simulated karate activates and decreased during the recovery period as well, while these changes were higher in supplement group (p < /em> < 0.05). Furthermore, antioxidant indicators have significantly increased after the activities, and this increase was at a higher level (p < /em> < 0.05) throughout the recovery period in the supplement group. The results of the present study showed that skullcap supplementation increased antioxidant indicators in the recovery period and decreased muscle and oxidative damage factors. Therefore, this plant can be recommended as a supplement to reduce damages, stress, and fatigue for karate athletes.