title: Acute antioxidant supplementation improves endurance performance in trained athletes.
abstract: This study examined the acute effects of a single dose of an antioxidant (AO; Lactaway® containing pycnogenol) on time to fatigue (TTF). Nine trained cyclists [mean ± SD age 35 ± 10 yrs; body mass 71.6 ± 10.2 kg; VO2 peak 63 ± 11 ml/kg/min] performed on two separate occasions a continuous protocol of 5 min at 50% of peak power output (PPO), 8 min at 70% of PPO, and then cycled to fatigue at 95% PPO. Four hours prior to the exercise protocol, the subjects consumed the supplement or a placebo (counterbalanced, double blind protocol). Cyclists, on average, rode for 80 s more in the Lactaway trial than they did in the placebo trial. There was considerable evidence (chances ≥94.5%) for substantial positive treatment effects for TTF and the other performance-related variables (excluding [BLa] at 95% PPO). Other studies are necessary to confirm these results and identify the mechanisms underlying the observed effects.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, Australia. david.bentley@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dank
authors.forename: Rory
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coupland
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Midgley
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Spence
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005080:Exercise Test; D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; C024070:pycnogenols