Effects Of Astaxanthin On Aerobic Capacity And Antioxidant Enzymes For Team Sport Athletes

Abstract

PURPOSE:Frequent competition can cause oxidative stress, leading to fatigue and a decrease in aerobic capacity. Antioxidant supplementation are commonly consumed to minimize exercise-induced oxidative stress, with the intention of enhancing recovery and improving performance. Thus, this study aims to determine 4 weeks supplement of astaxanthin on aerobic capacity, the recovery of blood lactic acid and antioxidant enzymes activity in team sports athletes during season training. METHODS:Twenty team sport varsity athletes (basketball: n = 10, football: n = 10) were randomly assigned in double-blind fashion to one of two treatment groups. The astaxanthin group (AST, n = 10) was supplemented 12 mg of astaxanthin for 4 weeks, and the placebo group was supplemented with olive oil capsules of the same dose. The incremental exercise test was performed before and after the supplementation, respectively. Fingertip blood was collected at 3, 6 and 9 min after exercise, blood lactic acid were analysed that day and calculated removal rate. Fasting venous blood was collected before and 12 h after incremental exercise test, and the activity of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px were measured. Performance indicators comparisons were made using independent sample T test and paired sample T test. Antioxidant enzymes activity comparisons were made using two-way ANOVA repeated measures. RESULTS:There were no significant changes in exhaustion time and VO2max in AST group, while the exhaustion time (17.22 ± 1.64 vs 15.53 ± 1.70 min P < 0.01) and VO2max (49.14 ± 4.41 vs 44.57 ± 3.87 ml/min/kg, P < 0.05) in PLA group were significantly decreased; The blood lactic acid removal rate had no significant change in two groups(P > 0.05);There was no significant change in the activity of antioxidant enzymes before exercise, but both the CAT (7.93 ± 0.83 vs. 2.91 ± 0.55 U/ml, P < 0.05)and GSH-Px(181.40 ± 9.49 vs. 155.39 ± 8.03 U/ml, P < 0.05) activity recovered more quickly at 12 h after exhaustive exercise than 0-week in AST group. CONCLUSIONS:4 weeks of training during the season can lead to a decline in aerobic capacity in team sport athletes, but intake of astaxanthin can help speed up CAT and GSH-Px activity recovery after exhaustive exercise, then enhancing recovery and improving performance. Supported by Herbalife Winter Sports Nutrition Research Center