Physical Activity as Healthy Intervention Against Severe Oxidative Stress in Elderly Population

Severe oxidative stress is a relevant risk factor for major deleterious health-related events in older people and is thought to be an important contributor to age-related disease. Literature has suggested oxidative stress as a therapeutic target for mitigating the biological decline and attenuating the occurrence of adverse clinical events in aged individuals. However, definitive treatments are not known. Regular and moderate physical activity has been proposed as possible intervention for slowing age-related decline. This healthy strategy presents a wide range of beneficial aspects for elderly, from the reduction of morbidity, disability, frailty and mortality rates to treatment of many age-related disorders. Importantly, the global benefits on health are not shared by any other strategies. Nevertheless, the physiological basis by which exercise produces its benefits to the organism is not fully understood. This review summarizes the evidence for the role of physical activity as potential healthy intervention for mitigating the negative aspects of aging through the modulation of the oxidative mechanisms.