Skeletal muscle consumes significant amounts of oxygen, and its oxygen
flux increases significantly under conditions of exercise and muscle
contraction. This makes the muscle vulnerable to oxidative stress since
concomitantly with the increase of oxygen flow there is an increase of
free oxygen radicals which are a byproduct of muscle respiration. A
number of studies in the last decade have documented the involvement of
free oxygen radicals in exercising muscles. The consequences of muscle
oxidative stress have resulted mainly in increased muscle protein
oxidation, elevation of lipid peroxidation, and depletion of muscle
antioxidants. The mechanisms of this oxidative stress are under
extensive investigation in laboratories around the world and are topics
of the chapters in this volume. This book is intended for professionals
who are interested in muscle function, physiology, pathophysiology and
well-being, such as therapists, trainers and medical professionals as
well as for researchers in the field of muscle physiology.