Oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is the process by which our body’s cells become oxidized, resulting in damage that affects their functions. It occurs due to an excess of free radicals and oxygen and a lack of antioxidants to counteract it. Environmental pollution, active and passive smoking, excessive sunbathing, and consuming drugs or too much alcohol are some leading causes. But during the practice of sport, free radicals and the consequent oxidative stress are also increased, which can be damaging in the case of a weakened antioxidant defence system. Its consequences are usually excessive muscle pain and fatigue after training.
Genetics is an influential factor in this regard, and a study shows that a particular variant of the SOD2 gene reduces the efficiency of the organism in its defence against oxidative stress caused by sport, which could be unfavourable in the practice of sports, especially high-intensity sports.