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Oxidative stress, exercise, and antioxidant supplementation.
Maria L Urso1, Priscilla M Clarkson
1Exercise Science Department, University of Massachusetts, 110 Totman Building, Amherst, MA 01003, USA. murso@exsci.umass.edu
Toxicology
|June 25, 2003
Summary
Exercise can cause oxidative stress, an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. This review explores if athletes need antioxidant supplements to combat exercise-induced oxidative stress and examines key oxidative stress markers.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Cells generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) during metabolism.
- Antioxidants (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) neutralize ROS.
- Exercise can disrupt this balance, leading to oxidative stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review markers of oxidative stress in athletes.
- To examine exercise-induced changes in oxidative stress.
- To determine if athletes require antioxidant supplements.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on oxidative stress markers.
- Analysis of changes in oxidative stress markers post-exercise.
- Evaluation of the necessity of antioxidant supplementation for athletes.
Main Results:
- Identified key markers for oxidative stress in blood and muscle.
- Documented exercise-induced alterations in these markers.
- Assessed the evidence for increased antioxidant needs in athletes.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress is a consequence of strenuous exercise.
- The need for antioxidant supplements in athletes remains unclear.
- Further research is needed to clarify antioxidant requirements during exercise.