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Abstract
The objective of this article was to review the biochemical basis of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) test and its applications to exercise science and promotion of healthy aging. Measurement of TAC allows evaluation of the antioxidant content of muscle, heart and other exercise-target organs. Acute non-regular physical exercise and body exposition to higher altitude have been associated with a considerable decrease of blood TAC. However, regular practice of physical activity and exercise is associated with improved antioxidant response increasing TAC levels. TAC methodologies did not address lipophylic antioxidants and have some other limitations. However, TAC is useful as a complementary test for the evaluation of antiperoxidation assays and blood, erythrocyte and cytosolic antioxidant enzyme assays (glutathion reductase, glutathion peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase). Exercise induces both molecular antioxidant and hormetic responses which have been suggested to be linked with a healthy aging.