ABSTRACT
This study aims at investigating the effect of vitamin-mineral supplementation on oxidative stress and plasma cytokine response after strenuous training periods in female elite swimmers. Twenty-four elite female swimmers volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly divided into two groups, the experimental [Vitamin-mineral supplemented] and the control [Placebo]. Both groups were in a monthly swimming programs, 3 times a week, for a total of 4 weeks and swimming, almost 3.5 to 4 km/d. Blood sampling was done before and after the training period to assess inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and also MDA. 100 m crawl records were measured at the beginning and the end of the training period. Results showed that inflammatory cytokines decreased significantly in the vitamin-mineral supplemented group, and MDA decreased, though not significantly, in this group. There was no significant change between the groups. No significant change was observed in swimming performance in either groups. In conclusion, ROS was found to affect exercise-induced cytokine production, in which vitamin-mineral supplementation was found to play an effective role