Journal of Ecophysiology & Occupational Health

To explore mechanisms of the beneficial consequences of regular exercise, we studied the effects of regular treadmill exercise on oxidative stress in the brain of rats. The antioxidant enzymes were compared with normal young (NC-Y), normal old (NC-O) and exercise trained young (Ex T-Y) and exercise trained old (Ex T-O) rats. For this purpose the rats were divided into two groups and exercise was given as per experimental protocol. After completion of the 2 months period the brain tissue was isolated and assayed for antioxidant enzymes. SOD, CAT and ascorbic acid activities were found to be decreased where as, XOD and MDA levels increased in old age. These findings, exercise may modulate the antioxidant enzymes. These findings further suggests the beneficial effects of exercise by countering the effects of free radicals which are generated during old age.