Authors: Geraint D. Florida-James, Rickie Simpson, Gareth Davison, Graeme Close (2016)
Published in: Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
DOI: 10.1155/2016/3813680
Objective:
To explore how exercise interacts with free radical metabolism and oxidative stress in the context of aging, and to summarize both basic and applied research on how these cellular and molecular processes contribute to healthspan and disease risk.
Key Findings:
· Exercise as a Double-Edged Sword:
While regular physical activity supports healthy aging, unaccustomed or acute strenuous exercise can increase free radical production and oxidative stress, potentially leading to tissue damage.
· Environmental Factors Exacerbate Oxidative Stress:
Factors such as pollution and altitude can amplify pulmonary inflammation during exercise. The balance of antioxidants and prooxidants is crucial in these settings.
· Mitochondrial Adaptation to Exercise:
In a rodent study, prolonged swimming reduced mitochondrial cholesterol and swelling in skeletal muscle, suggesting an adaptive role of caveolin-1 in protecting mitochondria from oxidative damage.
· Exercise Counters Vascular Aging:
Regular exercise promotes endothelial homeostasis, helping to offset age-related vascular decline driven by chronic oxidative stress.
· Acute Exercise Triggers Inflammatory Cascades:
Intense treadmill running in rats activated mitophagy in heart tissue, suggesting mitochondrial adaptations that minimize damage and regulate inflammation.
· Natural Killer (NK) Cells and Aging:
Acute exercise increases NK cell mobilization (part of the “fight or flight” immune response). However, aging and cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity can impair their responsiveness and shift their phenotype toward immunosenescence.
Conclusion:
· Exercise promotes mitochondrial and vascular health, supporting healthy aging.
· Overtraining or environmental stress can increase oxidative damage.
· Exercise may activate protective mechanisms like mitophagy to reduce cellular injury.
· NK cell immune responses to exercise decline with age and viral burden.
· Personalized and moderate exercise routines are key to maximizing benefits and minimizing risk.
Disclaimer:
This summary is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The research described is based on published peer-reviewed findings. Please consult a healthcare professional before making lifestyle or exercise changes, especially if you have a medical condition or are undergoing treatment.
Exercise, Free Radical Metabolism, and Aging: Cellular and Molecular Processes Geraint D. Florida-James, Rickie Simpson, Gareth Davison, Graeme Close First published: 02 February 2016 https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/3813680
