Τhe Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation on Blood Lipid Profile after Eccentric Exercise

Abstract

Antioxidant supplementation is quite often among athletes in an attempt to counteract the increased production of free radicals during exercise. Recently an increasing number of studies reported negative effects of antioxidant supplementation on the exercise adaptations. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of vitamin C and E supplementation on indices of muscle performance, muscle damage and blood lipids after an acute session of eccentric exercise. In a double-blinded fashion, participants received either a daily oral supplementation of vitamin C and vitamin E (n=14) or placebo (n=14) for four weeks. Following
that period, participants performed a single session of eccentric exercise. Pre exercise and at day 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 post exercise muscle performance and muscle damage indices were evaluated and blood samples were collected. Maximum eccentric torque and the delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were used as muscle performance and muscle damage indices, respectively. Triacyl-glycerols (TG), total cholesterol (TG), HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and the ratio TC/HDL were also evaluated. The results of the present study failed to support any effect of antioxidant supplementation. Eccentric exercise similarly modified all variables
assessed in both control and experimental groups. This happened despite the fact that eccentric exercise induced significant changes in muscle performance and muscle damage indices and blood lipid profile for several days post exercise.