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Research: CONSTANTINI and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 204
Abstract
CONSTANTINI and COLLEAGUES, Hadassah Optimal Sport Medicine Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. naamacons@gmail.com conducted a study to determine whether 1 g/day vitamin C supplementation affects the rate, length, or severity of URIs in adolescent swimmers.
Background
The risk of upper respiratory infections (URIs) is increased in people who are under heavy physical stress, including recreational and competitive swimmers. Additional treatment options are needed, especially in the younger age group.
Methodology
The authors carried out a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial during three winter months, among 39 competitive young swimmers (mean age 13.8 +/- 1.6 years) in Jerusalem, Israel. Vitamin C had no effect on the incidence of URIs (rate ratio = 1.01; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.70-1.46). The duration of respiratory infections was 22% shorter in vitamin C group, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, we found a significant interaction between vitamin C effect and sex, so that vitamin C shortened the duration of infections in male swimmers by 47% (95% CI: -80% to -14%), but had no effect on female swimmers (difference in duration: +17%; 95% CI: -38% to +71%). The effect of vitamin C on the severity of URIs was also different between male and female swimmers, so that vitamin C was beneficial for males, but not for females.
Results
Conclusion
Our study indicates that vitamin C does not affect the rate of respiratory infections in competitive swimmers. Nevertheless, we found that vitamin C decreased the duration and severity of respiratory infections in male swimmers, but not in females. This finding warrants further research.
References
Constantini NW, Dubnov-Raz G, Eyal BB, Berry EM, Cohen AH and Hemila H. The effect of vitamin C on upper respiratory infections in adolescent swimmers: a randomized trial. Source European Journal of Pediatrics. 170(1): 59-63. Jan 2011.
