Mitochondrial ROS and Aging: Understanding Exercise as a Preventive Tool

Sarcopenia, which is characterized by reduction in muscle mass and strength, contributes to several age-related conditions, including insulin resistance and frailty. Despite the importance of maintaining muscle mass for healthy aging, the mechanisms contributing to sarcopenia are not fully elucidated. Nevertheless, mitochondria appear to play a key role in the underlying condition, and importantly, respond robustly to exercise interventions. Mitochondria are intracellular organelles largely attributed to maintaining ATP concentrations, however, the importance of this organelle in overall cellular homeostasis has been expanded in the last decades to include redox signaling, calcium homeostasis, inflammation, and apoptosis. Several lines of evidence suggest that mitochondrial bioenergetics are altered in aged skeletal muscle, resulting in an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, while conversely genetic/pharmacological approaches that attenuate mitochondrial ROS promote healthy aging and maintenance of muscle mass. These observations suggest that increased free radicals are one of the bases of the aging process and related sarcopenia. Here, we reviewed the current knowledge regarding mitochondrial function and redox balance in aged human skeletal muscle, highlighting the implications of redox unbalance on skeletal muscle mass maintenance and muscle health. Additionally, we describe the benefits of exercise and nutrition interventions in the context of improving mitochondrial bioenergetics and functional outcomes regarding skeletal muscle mass and function.