The Role of Exercise-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Hormesis in Aging: Friend or Foe

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are oxygen derivatives that arise intrinsically from the oxidative phosphorylation process and extrinsically as a response to xenobiotics and pollution. ROS is involved in various conditions such as exercise, aging, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases. In the aging process, increased cellular senescence and decreased endogenous antioxidants also occur. Meanwhile, physical activity, specifically exercise, can modulate ROS. The impact of exercise on ROS varies from harmful to beneficial and depends on the type of exercise as they induce different types of ROS. Long-term exercise regulates signaling pathways that enhance antioxidant defense systems and control ROS production. This review will discuss studies on how exercise can regulate ROS and which type of exercise has a role in delaying the aging process. This review also exposes the impact of nutraceutical antioxidant agents that likely enhance the benefit of exercise. The nutraceutical antioxidants agents that likely enhance the benefit of exercise are creatine, whey, and ascorbic acid. Exercise is rewarding for the aging population concerning increasing their quality of life. Special consideration to exercise needs to be given to the type of exercise, and the exercise must be done continuously.