Exercise-induced oxidative stress

Abstract

Free radicals are extremely reactive compounds that are produced as a result of the metabolic activity of the cells in the biological systems. Both aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise provoke an increase in the production of different free radicals. Some levels of these oxidant compounds exert positive effects on the body¿s immune functions, on tissue turnover and on cellular resistance and even on the muscle contraction itself and adaptation to systemic stress. However, physical exercise and the different factors associated to it as well as climate conditions where they are practiced and some dietary and supplementation habits may precipitate an unbalance between the production of the free radicals and antioxidant defense mechanisms of the body. These may provoke different molecular damage, seen through the different biological markers of molecular damage on lipids, proteins and DNA. This revision aims to analyze critically the recently findings on oxidative stress, its main biological effects and its relationship with physical exercise and diet