Oxidative stress and skeletal muscle in exercise

Reactive oxygen species (ROSs) are often associated with damage to cellular functions. ROSsproduction is indicatives of oxidative stress during physical exercise. Oxidative stress occurs inthose circumstances in which free radicals determine a tissue damage or production of toxicand dangerous compounds for tissues. In a relaxation state, antioxidant defense of body mayhold under control free radicals. Physical activity promotes specific adaptations in relation totype, intensity and duration of physical exercise performed, and a cytoprotective response inskeletal muscle is the increased production of heat shock proteins (HSPs).In ageing, skeletal muscle shows a series of deteriorations, and numerous data suggest thatredox processes may play an important role in ageing processes.