%0 Journal Article %J Research in Sports Medicine %D 2011 %T Changes in homocysteine and 8-iso-PGF 2a levels in football and hockey players after a match %A Papapanagiotou, A. %A Gissis, I. %A Papadopoulos, C. %A Souglis, A. %A Bogdanis, G.C. %A Giosos, I. %A A Sotiropoulos %K football %K Hockey %K Homocysteine %K Isoprostanes %X The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of homocysteine and 8-iso PGF 2a in football and hockey players before and soon after a match, on the predisposition for development of atherosclerosis. We measured 8-iso-PGF 2a and homocysteine in 21 football athletes aged 21.8 ± 3.7 years old and 18 hockey athletes 22.2 ± 3.3 years old, respectively. All the athletes presented significant increases in serum homocysteine levels following the match (p = 0.001 for football and p = 0.001 for hockey players) Also a statistically significant increase of 8-iso-PGF 2a levels was found in hockey and football athletes following the match (p < 0.001 and p = 0.071). Our findings suggest that strenuous exercise such as a football or a hockey match causes a marked increase in serum homocysteine and 8-iso-PGF 2a. Due to the fact that homocysteine and 8-iso-PGF 2a are contributing to atheromatosis, it may be useful to follow a restoration exercise program that involves mild exercise and to pay special attention to folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 balance during the first 24 h after the match. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. %B Research in Sports Medicine %V 19 %P 118 - 128 %8 2011 %G eng %U http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79959851782&partnerID=40&md5=aa9a569b8c4af0df9a348a815aeb7390 %N 2