Ascorbic Acid Drink after Submaximal Physical Activity can Maintain the Superoxide Dismutase Levels in East Java Student Regiment

Abstract

Objective - This study aimed to analyze the effect of ascorbic acid after submaximal physical activity on
reducing levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) to Student
Regiment in East Java.
Methods - This study was a true experiment with a randomized control group posttest-only design used 28
male subjects aged 19-23 years with body mass index (BMI) 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, and randomly divided into
four groups. Namely G1 (n=7, control without submaximal physical activity+placebo), G2 (n=7, submaximal
physical activity+placebo), G3 (n=7, submaximal physical activity+AA 500 mg), and G4 (n=7, submaximal
physical activity+AA 1,000 mg). The submaximal physical activity was 2.400 meters running in 12 minutes
or when the 60-70% of HRmax achieved. The drinks containing 500 mg and 1.000 mg ascorbic acid (AA)
for G3 and G4 was given after exercise test. Measurement of serum MDA and SOD used the Thiobarbituric
Acid Reactive Substances (TBARs) method. The data was statistical analyzed using SPSS software with a
significant level (p<0.05).
Results - The results of MDA levels showed in G1 (308.18±61.81 ng/mL), G2 (338.42±125.78 ng/mL), G3
(290.54±69.18 ng/mL), G4 (279.83±39.10 ng/mL) and there was no significantly difference among groups
(p=0.557). The mean levels of SOD was significant among groups ((p=0.000), and the SOD level in each
group was G1 (23.19±0.77 units/mL), G2 (24.81±0.87 units/mL), G3 (25.27±0.79 units/mL), G4 (25.57±0.47
units/mL).
Conclusion - It can be concluded that 500 mg and 1.000 mg ascorbic acid drinks after submaximal physical
activity can increase SOD levels of students regiment in East Java. Ascorbic acid drink may maintain the
SOD level by lessening the use of antioxidant endogen and it may also increase the SOD level, however
futher research is needed to be conducted to figure out the mechamism.