Abstract

During exercise, there is a redox imbalance that increases reactive oxygen species, generating oxidative stress that favors muscle damage, affecting physical and sports performance. Different antioxidant supplements have been used to optimize muscle recovery after physical exercise. However, the effects of various antioxidants have been counterproductive, since the reactive oxygen species generated by exercise are necessary for muscle adaptation and their reduction prevents correct intracellular signaling and consequently the adaptation of skeletal muscle to exercise. Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant that are present in various fruits and herb extracts that have different characteristics depending on their structure and composition, some presenting a cell signaling pathway similar to exercise, generating different stimuli at the skeletal muscle level, being able to reduce the oxidative damage generated by exercise and even being able to enhance its effects. The aim of this literature review is to describe the effect of various polyphenols on muscle damage and biomarkers of oxidative stress on different forms of physical exercise and sports in adults.