The Effect of Red Dragon Fruit Juice Towards Cholesterol Level and Maximum Aerobic Capacity (VO2max) on Sport Science Students Treated with Heavy Physical Exercise

Abstract

Heavy physical exercise causes increased production of free radicals. The accumulation of oxidative stress can reduce cardiorespiratory endurance. VO₂max plays a role as an indicator of the circumstances of cardiorespiratory. An increase in cholesterol levels is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. As a result, there is a decrease in fitness marked by a decrease in the value of VO₂max. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the antioxidant supplement given during heavy physical exercise had a beneficial effect on decrease cholesterol and the increase of VO₂max levels. The subjects were 30 students, male sex, 20-22 years old, divided into 3 groups randomly, each 10 people, group 1: subjects not given heavy physical exercise and only given a placebo (control); group 2: subjects given heavy physical exercise and placebo (HPE-RDF); group 3: subjects given heavy physical exercise and red dragon fruit juice (HPE+RDF). Measurement of cholesterol and VO₂max levels in the pre-test and post-test. The results showed that there was an increase in VO₂max and a decrease in cholesterol (p<0.05) in the HPE + RDF group compared to the HPE-RDF group. The Heavy exercise group given red dragon fruit juice can increase VO₂max and reduce cholesterol levels.