Free Radicals
The Role of Antioxidants in Exercise Induced Muscle Damage.
Free Radicals Induce Muscle Damage and Inflammation
Research evidence proves that free radicals play an important role in muscle damage and inflammation after strenuous exercise. Dietary antioxidants are able to assist in the protection against free radical damage and the prevention of cellular damage.
Free radicals are formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules forming atoms or groups that have an odd number of electrons. Once free radicals are formed they can start a chain reaction by attacking other stable molecules. Subsequently, the threat they pose is the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA, or the cell membrane with …show more content…
In instances where the generation of free radicals exceeds the antioxidant defenses then one would expect to see more of these by-products. These measurements have been performed on athletes under a variety of conditions.
Interesting facts have emerged from these experimental studies. In particular that regular physical exercise strengthens the body’s antioxidant defense system and results in protection against exercise induced free radical damage. This is a notable finding as it proves how intelligent the body is to adapting to the demands of exercise. These changes in the enhancement of the body’s antioxidant defense system occur slowly over time and appear to parallel other adaptations to exercise.
The other side of this is not so for individuals who are physically unfit. In fact, intense exercise in untrained individuals overwhelms the body’s antioxidant defense system and results in increased free radical damage. The so called "weekend warrior" who is primarily sedentary during the week, but participates in vigorous bouts of exercise over a weekend may be doing more harm than good.
Human studies have shown that dietary supplementation with antioxidants have a favourable effect and protect against free radical damage induced from
Free Radicals Induce Muscle Damage and Inflammation
Research evidence proves that free radicals play an important role in muscle damage and inflammation after strenuous exercise. Dietary antioxidants are able to assist in the protection against free radical damage and the prevention of cellular damage.
Free radicals are formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules forming atoms or groups that have an odd number of electrons. Once free radicals are formed they can start a chain reaction by attacking other stable molecules. Subsequently, the threat they pose is the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA, or the cell membrane with …show more content…
In instances where the generation of free radicals exceeds the antioxidant defenses then one would expect to see more of these by-products. These measurements have been performed on athletes under a variety of conditions.
Interesting facts have emerged from these experimental studies. In particular that regular physical exercise strengthens the body’s antioxidant defense system and results in protection against exercise induced free radical damage. This is a notable finding as it proves how intelligent the body is to adapting to the demands of exercise. These changes in the enhancement of the body’s antioxidant defense system occur slowly over time and appear to parallel other adaptations to exercise.
The other side of this is not so for individuals who are physically unfit. In fact, intense exercise in untrained individuals overwhelms the body’s antioxidant defense system and results in increased free radical damage. The so called "weekend warrior" who is primarily sedentary during the week, but participates in vigorous bouts of exercise over a weekend may be doing more harm than good.
Human studies have shown that dietary supplementation with antioxidants have a favourable effect and protect against free radical damage induced from