Prolonged vitamin C supplementation and recovery from demanding exercise.
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether 2 weeks of vitamin C supplementation affects recovery from an unaccustomed bout of exercise. Sixteen male subjects were allocated to either a placebo (P; n = 8) or vitamin C group (VC; n = 8). The VC group consumed 200 mg of ascorbic acid twice a day, whereas the P group consumed identical capsules containing 200 mg of lactose. Subjects performed a prolonged (90-min) intermittent shuttle-running test 14 days after supplementation began. Post-exercise serum creatine kinase activities and myoglobin concentrations were unaffected by supplementation. However, vitamin C supplementation had modest beneficial effects on muscle soreness, muscle function, and plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde. Furthermore, although plasma interleukin-6 increased immediately after exercise in both groups, values in the VC group were lower than in the P group 2 hours after exercise (p < .05). These results suggest that prolonged vitamin C supplementation has some modest beneficial effects on recovery from unaccustomed exercise.
Thompson
D
D
Department of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Taths, UK.
Williams
C
C
McGregor
S J
SJ
Nicholas
C W
CW
McArdle
F
F
Jackson
M J
MJ
Powell
J R
JR
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology; D009211:Myoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D015850:Interleukin-6; D009211:Myoglobin; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D006854:Hydrocortisone