Exercise-induced oxidative stress: Friend or foe?

Abstract

Highlights Muscular contractions stimulate reactive oxygen species production in active muscle fibers and skeletal muscles are a primary source of reactive oxygen species production during exercise. Prolonged or high intensity exercise can result in both: (1) oxidative damage in skeletal muscle fibers and (2) accelerated muscle fatigue. Exercise-induced increases in the production of reactive oxygen species in skeletal muscle plays a required role in skeletal muscle adaptation to endurance training. Based on the available evidence, it appears unlikely that rigorous and prolonged exercise results in an oxidative stress level that is detrimental to human health.

The Effect of Physical Training on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Ex Vivo Proliferation, Differentiation, Activity, and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Racehorses

“…Exercise-induced increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including free radicals, has been demonstrated, especially after exhaustive physical activity both in humans [ 57 , 58 , 59 ] and horses [ 60 ]. Although oxidants can be produced in a variety of tissues, most of them are derived from skeletal muscle contraction [ 61 ]. However, non-muscular cells also respond to exercise-associated redox-sensitive signaling effects.…”

“…In addition, the ROS level in CD5+ cells was only increased in UT horses. The differences may be caused by adaptational processes which lead to a decrease in ROS production during training [ 61 ]. This prevents extensive tissue damage connected with oxidative stress.…”

Caffeinated instant coffee prevents an increase in exercise-mediated superoxide anion production in rat peritoneal neutrophils

“…Two isoforms of NADPH oxidase are expressed in skeletal muscle such as NOX2 (located within the sarcolemma and T tubule) and NOX4 (present in the sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria). NOX2 is characterized as a dominant source of ROS production mediated by NADPH oxidase in contracting muscles (Powers et al, 2020).…”

Reflections of an aging free radical

“… Footnotes. a Exercise has benefits other than weight loss, some of them may be “antioxidant” by upregulating endogenous antioxidant defences [ 82 , 84 , 85 ]. b May depend on how well glucose and lipids have been normalized in the diabetic cohorts studied.…”

“… a Exercise has benefits other than weight loss, some of them may be “antioxidant” by upregulating endogenous antioxidant defences [ 82 , 84 , 85 ]. …”