Effects Of Six Weeks Of Quercetin Supplementation On Energy, Fatigue, Sleep Quality, And Illness In ROTC Cadets

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of six weeks of dietary quercetin supplementation on the moods of energy and fatigue, sleep quality, and self-reported illness in men and women enduring military physical training. METHODS: Using a randomized, double-blind, repeated-measures, placebo-controlled design, 58 healthy, moderately-trained young men and women undergoing regular military physical training were randomly assigned to Quercetin (Q) and Placebo (P) groups. Moods of energy and fatigue, as well as sleep quality and self-reported incidences of illness were evaluated prior to (T1), in the middle (T2), at the end (T3), and two weeks following (T4) 42-54 d of supplementation with 1 g/d of quercetin with vitamins and other substances in a soft chew or a placebo chew. RESULTS: Changes in energy and fatigue, assessed by the Profile of Mood States-Brief (POMS-B) and the Mental and Physical State Energy and Fatigue Scales, and changes in sleep quality, measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were not significantly different (p > 0.05) in Q and P. Illness rate and severity, recorded using the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS), also were not significantly different (p > 0.05) between groups. CONCLUSION: Six weeks of chronic dietary quercetin supplementation in moderately-trained young men and women conducting regular military physical training does not improve moods of energy and fatigue. Sleep quality, as well as illness rate and severity, also was unaffected by quercetin supplementation in this population.