Abstract
Background:
Oxidative stress can impair physical performance and delay recovery. Coffee-derived bioactive compounds may offer protective antioxidant effects. While both have recognized individual benefits, the impact of combining coffee extract supplementation with swimming on oxidative stress and antioxidant status remains unclear.

Aim:
This study evaluated the effects of Gayo Arabica coffee extract and swimming exercise on oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant status, and skeletal muscle histopathology in Wistar rats.

Methods:
Twenty-four male Wistar rats (170–220 g) were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 6/group): control (C), swimming exercise (SE), coffee extract (C400), and combined swimming exercise plus coffee extract (SE+C400). Gayo Arabica coffee extract was administered orally at 400 mg/kg body weight, five times per week for 4 weeks, while swimming exercise was performed three times per week for 40–60 min/session during the same period. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), and lactate were measured using ELISA. To determine significance, data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s HSD post hoc test, with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results:
Compared to controls, the SE+C400 group exhibited the lowest levels of MDA (1.76 vs. 3.25 nmol/mL) and 8-OHdG (1.41 vs. 2.87 ng/mL), alongside the highest SOD activity (80.95% vs. 45.54%). This group also showed increased CAT, GPx, and GSH, as well as significantly lower lactate concentrations (p < 0.05). While controls displayed mild inflammatory changes in muscle histopathology, the intervention groups maintained normal muscle architecture.

Conclusion:
Gayo Arabica coffee extract combined with swimming exercise reduced oxidative stress biomarkers and enhanced antioxidant defense in Wistar rats. The most favorable responses were observed in the combined intervention group, indicating a complementary effect of dietary antioxidants and exercise on redox homeostasis in experimental animal models.

Key words: Antioxidant status; Coffee; Oxidative stress; Swimming; Wistar rats.