Children, Exercise and Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Exercise is a stressor that results in changes in redox status as this is estimated through an increase of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and modulation of the antioxidant system. Lately, there is an increasing interest of the scientific community to examine the effects of acute and chronic exercise on redox status of children. Τhis review highlights results from studies that examined the effects of acute and chronic exercise on blood redox status. From this review is evident that exercise causes a temporary increase in oxidative stress, even in trained children, but systematic training seems to enhance the antioxidant system that prevents significant increases in oxidative stress.