
Exercise and reactive oxygen species – a complicated relationship
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are naturally occurring, volatile molecules located within our bodies and brains. They are also known as free radicals because they contain a “free” electron that is available to pair with another electron, thus giving them their volatile qualities. ROS include oxygen, peroxide, and hydrogen peroxide, to name a few. These free radicals are formed through metabolic processes and play important roles in cell signaling and homeostatic mechanisms.