This review comprehensively evaluates the effects of physical exercise on oxidative and nitrosative stress, mainly focusing on the role of antioxidants. Using a narrative synthesis approach, data from empirical studies, reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published between 2004 and 2024 were collated from databases like PubMed, EBSCO (EDS), and Google Scholar, culminating in the inclusion of 41 studies. The quality of these studies was rigorously assessed to ensure the clarity of objectives, coherence in arguments, comprehensive literature coverage, and depth of critical analysis. Findings revealed that moderate exercise enhances antioxidant defenses through hormesis, while excessive exercise may exacerbate oxidative stress. The review also highlights that while natural dietary antioxidants are beneficial, high-dose supplements could impede the positive adaptations to exercise. In conclusion, the review calls for more focused research on tailored exercise and nutrition plans to further understand these complex interactions and optimize the health outcomes for athletes and the general population.

Effective post-exercise recovery is vital for optimizing athletic performance, focusing on muscle repair, glycogen replenishment, rehydration, and inflammation management. This review explores the evolving trend from traditional supplements, such as protein, carbohydrates, creatine, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), toward functional foods rich in bioactive compounds. Evidence highlights the benefits of functional foods like tart cherry juice (anthocyanins), turmeric-seasoned foods, and sources of omega-3 fatty acids, including fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts, for mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation. Additionally, probiotics and prebiotics support gut health and immune function, which are integral to effective recovery. Personalized nutrition, informed by genetic and metabolic profiling, is examined as a promising approach to tailor recovery strategies. A systematic search across PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2000–2024) identified studies with high empirical rigor and relevance to recovery outcomes. Findings underscore the need for further research into nutrient interactions, dosage optimization, and long-term effects on athletic performance. Integrating functional foods with personalized nutrition presents a comprehensive framework for enhanced recovery, greater resilience to physical stress, and sustained performance in athletes.

Falls among older adults present a major public health challenge, causing significant physical, psychological, and economic consequences. Exercise interventions are a proven strategy to reduce fall risk by targeting biomechanical, physiological, and psychological factors. This review examines evidence from 155 studies published between 2004 and 2024, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies. Data were rigorously screened and extracted using predefined criteria, with studies sourced from PubMed, MEDLINE, EBSCO (EDS), and additional gray literature identified via Google Scholar. Key findings show that balance and strength training improves postural control, gait stability, and neuromuscular coordination, while resistance training mitigates sarcopenia and enhances joint mobility. Cognitive exercises enhance attention, spatial awareness, decision-making, and psychological benefits like reduced fear of falling and greater social engagement. Multidisciplinary approaches integrating physical, cognitive, and social components deliver the most significant impact. This review underscores the value of evidence-based exercise programs in promoting active aging and enhancing the quality of life for older adults.

High-intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is increasingly recognized for enhancing neuromuscular function, strength, power, and overall athletic performance. This review systematically examined peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025, focusing on HIIT’s impact on motor unit recruitment, muscle fiber composition, neuromuscular efficiency, maximal strength, rate of force development (RFD), muscle hypertrophy, and power output. Findings indicate that HIIT significantly improves neuromuscular activation by increasing motor unit recruitment and synchronization, particularly in fast-twitch fibers essential for explosive movements. HIIT also promotes shifts toward Type II and hybrid Type IIa fibers, enhancing strength and endurance. However, despite its effectiveness in boosting RFD and explosive power, HIIT is less efficient than traditional resistance training for maximizing absolute strength and hypertrophy due to insufficient progressive overload. Integrating resistance-based and plyometric-based HIIT protocols emerged as an effective strategy to enhance strength and power concurrently. Effective periodization and recovery strategies, including active recovery and targeted nutrition, help mitigate fatigue and optimize adaptations. Notable research gaps include the long-term impacts of HIIT on neuromuscular function and the efficacy of individualized HIIT protocols based on specific athlete characteristics. Future research should focus on refining HIIT protocols for different sports, exploring its synergy with traditional resistance training, and assessing long-term adaptations to sustain strength and power gains. HIIT presents a valuable, time-efficient complement to conventional training methods for improving strength, power, and neuromuscular efficiency.

Senile dementia, also known as dementia, is the mental deterioration which is associated with aging. It is characterized by a decrease in cognitive abilities, inability to concentrate, and especially the loss of higher cerebral cortex function, including memory, judgment, abstract thinking, and other loss of personality, even behavior changes. As a matter of fact, dementia is the deterioration of mental and intellectual functions caused by brain diseases in adults when they are mature, which affects the comprehensive performance of life and work ability. Most dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and multiple infarct dementia (vascular dementia, multi-infarct dementia). Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by atrophy, shedding, and degenerative alterations in brain cells, and its occurrence is linked to age. The fraction of the population with dementia is smaller before the age of 65, and it increases after the age of 65. Since women live longer than men, the proportion of women with Alzheimer’s disease is higher. Multiple infarct dementia is caused by a cerebral infarction, which disrupts blood supply in multiple locations and impairs cerebral cortex function. Researchers worldwide are investigating ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease; however, currently, there are no definitive answers for Alzheimer’s prevention. Even so, research has shown that we can take steps to reduce the risk of developing it. Prospective studies have found that even light to moderate physical activity can lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise has been proposed as a potential lifestyle intervention to help reduce the occurrence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Various workout modes will be introduced based on various physical conditions. In general, frequent exercise for 6–8 weeks lessens the risk of dementia development.

This general review assesses the impact of physical exercise on oxidative and nitrosative stress and the counteractive role of antioxidants, drawing from a systematic literature search up to March 2024 in databases like PubMed and Web of Science. The review highlights studies on the effect of exercise on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and antioxidant responses in both human and animal models based on rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. Due to the variety of exercise types and participants' characteristics, a narrative synthesis approach was adopted. The findings indicate that moderate exercise boosts antioxidant defenses, known as hormesis, whereas excessive physical activity may increase oxidative and nitrosative damage. The review also explores the complex effects of antioxidant supplementation, revealing that while natural dietary antioxidants support health, high-dose supplements could potentially hinder positive adaptations to exercise. Recommendations for athletes and the general active population highlight the importance of balancing exercise and dietary intake to optimize health benefits. The review concludes with a call for more detailed research on tailored exercise and nutrition plans to dissect these intricate relationships further.