Do Antioxidant Vitamins Prevent Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage? A Systematic Review.

María Martinez-Ferran,Giuseppe Lippi,Fabian Sanchis-Gomar,Helios Pareja-Galeano,Carl J. Lavie

doi:10.3390/antiox9050372

María Martinez-Ferran, Giuseppe Lippi + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9050372

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Abstract

Free radicals produced during exercise play a role in modulating cell signaling pathways. High doses of antioxidants may hamper adaptations to exercise training. However, their benefits are unclear. This review aims to examine whether vitamin C (VitC) and/or vitamin E (VitE) supplementation (SUP) prevents exercise-induced muscle damage. The PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched, and 21 articles were included. Four studies examined the effects of acute VitC SUP given pre-exercise: in one study, lower CK levels post-exercise was observed; in three, no difference was recorded. In one study, acute VitE SUP reduced CK activity 1 h post-exercise in conditions of hypoxia. In three studies, chronic VitE SUP did not reduce CK activity after an exercise session. Chronic VitE SUP did not reduce creatine kinase (CK) concentrations after three strength training sessions, but it was effective after 6 days of endurance training in another study. Chronic SUP with VitC + E reduced CK activity post-exercise in two studies, but there was no such effect in four studies. Finally, three studies described the effects of chronic VitC + E SUP and long-term exercise, reporting dissimilar results. To conclude, although there is some evidence of a protective effect of VitC and/or VitE against exercise-induced muscle damage, the available data are not conclusive.

Highlights

In the human body, the antioxidant system consists of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzyme antioxidants [1]
We examine whether short- or long-term vitamin C (VitC) and/or vitamin E (VitE) supplemented group (SUP) is capable of preventing acute or chronic exercise-induced muscle damage in athletes, and in physically active or inactive individuals
The studies reviewed provide some data, relatively weak, indicating a protective effect of antioxidant vitamins against exercise-induced muscle damage. This evidence is not conclusive, and not all articles reported a clear benefit from VitC and VitE SUP

Summary

Introduction

The antioxidant system consists of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzyme antioxidants [1]. The latter are classified as lipid soluble, when present in membranes and lipoproteins, or water soluble, when found in extracellular and intracellular fluids [1,2]. Oxidative stress is the consequence of an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defenses [3]. This stress can lead to damage to cell components and may have detrimental effects in both physiological conditions, such as during physical exercise, and disease conditions [3,4].

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