ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF VIRGIN COCONUT OIL REDUCED CREATINE KINASE LEVELS IN NON-ATHLETE STUDENTS RECEIVING SUBMAXIMAL PHYSICAL EXERCISE

Damage to the muscle cell acute and chronic can be caused by strenuous physical exercise. Oxidative stress that occurs during strenuous exercise contributes to muscle cell damage. One indicator of muscle cell damage is creatine kinase in the blood serum. Natural antioxidant can be given to counteract the free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. Virgin coconut oil is a natural plant that has potential as an antioxidant. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of virgin coconut oil on muscle damage by looking at the creatine kinase activity during submaximal exercise in non-athlete students. This is an experimental study with a randomized control group pretest-posttest design. The sample in this study were ten people who were divided into two groups. The control group was given a placebo while the experimental group was given virgin coconut oil at a dose of 15 ml. All groups received submaximal physical exercise with an intensity of 80-90%, a frequency of 3 times a week for one month. Creatine kinase was measured before and after treatment. The creatine kinase activity in the control group increased significantly while the experimental group decreased insignificantly. Virgin coconut oil in this study significantly reduced creatine kinase activity. The antioxidant potential of virgin coconut oil can repair muscle damage in non-athlete students receiving submaximal physical exercise.