title: Exercise and melatonin in humans: reciprocal benefits.
abstract: The aim of this review is to update the reader as to the association between physical exercise and melatonin, and to clarify how the melatonin rhythm may be affected by different types of exercise. Exercise may act as a zeitgeber, although the effects of exercise on the human circadian system are only now being explored. Depending on the time of the day, on the intensity of light, and on the proximity of the exercise to the onset or decline of the circadian production of melatonin, the consequence of exercise on the melatonin rhythm varies. Moreover, especially strenuous exercise per se induces an increased oxidative stress that in turn may affect melatonin levels in the peripheral circulation because indole is rapidly used to combat free radical damage. On the other hand, melatonin also may influence physical performance, and thus, there are mutually interactions between exercise and melatonin production which may be beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Germaine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Escames
authors.forename: Guler
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baño-Otálora
authors.forename: María J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pozo
authors.forename: Juan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Madrid
authors.forename: Russel J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: Melquiades
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Concepción
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Acuña-Castroviejo
mesh_terms: D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin