The work aims to discuss the relationship respectively between the respiratory metabolism, energy metabolism and reactive oxygen species metabolism and quality deterioration of harvested fruits and vegetables, in order to provide theoretical support and guidance for the application of harvested fruits and vegetables preservation technology. The changes and mutual regulation mechanisms of three physiological metabolisms during postharvest storage were summarized, and the relationship with quality deterioration was reviewed. The quality deterioration of harvested fruits and vegetables was closely related to respiratory metabolism, energy metabolism and reactive oxygen species metabolism. Postharvest treatments or preservation technologies reduced browning, nutrient loss, softening, pathogen infection, and cold injure by regulating the metabolism of fruits and vegetables. Respiratory metabolism, energy metabolism and reactive oxygen species metabolism form a complex physiological metabolic network and interact with each other to regulate the physiological metabolism of fruits and vegetables and further affect the physiological quality.