The combinatory effects of combined training (endurance–resistance) and garlic supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant adaptations in untrained boys

Summary Objectives Physical activity and exercise have been regarded as beneficial and therapeutic strategies in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of a variety of medical disorders and diseases, even before advanced medical therapies are prescribed. The aim of this study was to characterize the oxidative stress and antioxidant defense adaptations in untrained boys after a regimen of combined training alone or together with garlic administration. Methods In the present quisi-experimental study, 46 untrained volunteer boys were randomly assigned into 4 groups: garlic + train ( n  = 13), placebo + train ( n  = 13), garlic ( n  = 10), and control ( n  = 10). The combined training protocol comprised of endurance training (60–80% HR max , running) and resistance training (40–85% 1RM, weight training) for 8 weeks. Capsules containing 250 mg garlic were administered on a daily basis in the garlic and train + garlic groups for 8 weeks. The two-way ANOVA test was employed to determine within-group and between-group differences. The Least Significant Difference (LSD) post hoc test was performed to locate the differences. Data were analyzed by SPSS v.20 with a significance level of P Results Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, as a marker of oxidative stress, decreased significantly in the train + placebo ( P  = 0.01), train + garlic ( P P P  = 0.33) group. The index of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) significantly increased in the train + placebo ( P  = 0.02), train + garlic ( P  = 0.01), and garlic ( P  = 0.005) groups with no change in the control group ( P  = 0.90). The two indices TAC ( P  = 0.001) and serum MDA ( P  = 0.001) had significant differences between four groups. The LSD post hoc test showed significant differences between garlic and control and between train + garlic and control groups for both MDA and TAC. Conclusion the present research suggests that resistance and endurance training synergistically improve the defense against oxidative stress, and that this effect is even enhanced by garlic antioxidant supplement.