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Abstract

THOMPSON et al., Department of Dport and Exercise Scicne at the University of Taths, UK, investigated prolonged vitamin C supplementation and recovery from demanding exercise .

Background

The aim of this study was to assess whether 2 weeks of vitamin C supplementation affects the recovery from bouts of unaccustomed exertion .

Methodology

16 male volunteers were allocated into placebo or vitamin C group (8 each). The treatment group consumed 2 x 200 mg of vitamin C daily for 2 weeks, and the placebo group consumed the same amount of lactose. Subjects performed a 90 minute shuttle-running test . Post-exercise serum creatine kinase activities, plasma malondialdehyde, plasma interleukin-6, and myoglobin concentrations were measured, as well as muscle soreness and muscle fatigue.

Results

Serum creatine kinase activity and myoglobin concentrations were unaffected, but malondialdehyde, muscle soreness and muscle fatigue were modestly improved by vitamin C. Moreover, although interleukin-6 levels increased in both groups immediately after exercise, the vitamin C group sustained a higher level two hours after exercise.

Conclusion

Vitamin C supplementation may have some modest beneficial effects on recovery from unaccustomed exercise.

References

Thompson D, Williams C, McGregor SJ, Nicholas CW, McArdle F, Jackson MJ, Powell JR. Prolonged vitamin C supplementation and recovery from demanding exercise. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 11 (4): 466-481, Dec. 2001.