MEM Discussion, page-341

Sports teams increasingly incorporate oxidative stress testing as part of their athlete monitoring programs, though it’s not as routine as fitness or performance assessments. Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, can impact recovery, performance, and injury risk. Testing helps gauge how training, nutrition, and recovery protocols affect athletes’ physiological stress levels.

Common Practices:

• Biomarker Testing: Some teams use blood or urine tests to measure markers like malondialdehyde (MDA), F2-isoprostanes, or glutathione levels, which indicate oxidative stress. These tests are often done periodically, such as pre-season, mid-season, or post-competition, to track changes.
• Frequency: Testing isn’t daily or weekly due to cost and invasiveness. Elite teams (e.g., in the NFL, NBA, or European soccer) may test monthly or at key training cycle points, while less-funded programs might do so sporadically or not at all.
• Indirect Measures: Many teams assess oxidative stress indirectly through heart rate variability (HRV), cortisol levels, or inflammation markers (e.g., C-reactive protein), which are easier to monitor via wearable tech or saliva tests.
• Research Context: Oxidative stress testing is more common in research settings or high-budget teams with access to sports science labs. For example, Premier League soccer clubs or Olympic programs may partner with universities to conduct detailed studies.

Challenges:

• Cost and access to specialized equipment limit widespread use.
• Interpreting results requires expertise, as oxidative stress varies with training load, diet, and individual physiology.
• Standardized protocols for athletes are still developing, so testing isn’t universal.

Trends:

• Teams are increasingly using non-invasive methods, like sweat analysis or breath tests, as technology advances.
• Interest is growing in personalized nutrition (e.g., antioxidant supplementation) based on test results to optimize recovery.

While not every team tests for oxidative stress, those with robust sports science programs do so to fine-tune training and recovery, especially in high-performance environments

Interesting that we are really addressing the needs and as MEM is saying, taking away the number one challenge for sporting teams, COST. This could be a very interesting pathway to follow. Partnership could be something that these other companies may consider, as we have just reduced the time to a fraction, as well as the cost. Double Whammy!