Clinical, cellular and molecular approaches to oxidative stress in athletes' bodies: a systematic and integrative review

Abstract

Introduction: Frequent physical exercises can cause a state of transient fatigue, thus increasing the regenerative capacity of the body and inducing an overcompensation of the biological systems involved. The state resulting from overtraining has negative consequences not only for physical performance but also for health and when this state occurs, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are synthesized in the body. Objective: It was to carry out a systematic and integrative review of the main clinical, cellular and molecular approaches to oxidative stress in athletes' bodies, as well as the main functions of antioxidants in mitochondria. Methods: The systematic review rules of the PRISMA Platform were followed. The research was carried out from October to December 2022 in Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results and Conclusion: A total of 127 articles were found, and a total of 67 articles were fully evaluated and 57 were included and developed in the present systematic review study. Considering the Cochrane tool for risk of bias, the overall assessment resulted in 7 studies at high risk of bias and 25 studies that did not meet the GRADE. Studies have shown that free radicals play important roles as regulators in muscle signaling processes. Oxidative stress reflects an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and adequate antioxidant defense. The relationship between exercise and oxidative stress is extremely complex, depending on the mode, intensity, and duration of exercise. High levels of reactive oxygen species produced in skeletal muscle during exercise have been associated with muscle damage and impaired muscle function. Antioxidant supplementation may be warranted under specific conditions when athletes are exposed to high oxidative stress or do not meet dietary antioxidant requirements. Continuous aerobic exercise under moderate-intensity or high-intensity interval training can be recommended to increase the body's ability to maintain redox balance, especially for unhealthy individuals.