Acute antioxidant supplementation improves endurance performance in trained athletes

Res Sports Med. 2012 Jan;20(1):1-12. doi: 10.1080/15438627.2011.608050.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Athletes
  • Athletic Performance / physiology*
  • Bicycling / physiology*
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Exercise Test
  • Fatigue / drug therapy
  • Flavonoids / administration & dosage
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oxygen Consumption / drug effects*
  • Physical Endurance / drug effects*
  • Plant Extracts

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antioxidants
  • Flavonoids
  • Plant Extracts
  • pycnogenols