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Int J Sports Med 2001; 22(1): 68-75
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-11358
Nutrition
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Muscle Soreness and Damage Parameters after Prolonged Intermittent Shuttle-Running Following Acute Vitamin C Supplementation

D. Thompson1 , C. Williams1 , M. Kingsley1 , C. W. Nicholas1 , H. KA. Lakomy1 , F. McArdle2 , M. J. Jackson2
  • 1 Human Muscle Metabolism Research Group, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK
  • 2 Muscle Research Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
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Publication History

June 28, 2000

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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Exercise-induced free-radical production may be partly responsible for muscle soreness and damage following demanding exercise. A number of studies have investigated the effect of antioxidant supplementation although there is a paucity of information regarding vitamin C. Therefore the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vitamin C supplementation on exercise-induced muscle soreness and damage. Nine habitually active males consumed a 1 g dose of vitamin C 2 h before exercise, and on another occasion consumed an identical placebo. The exercise comprised a 90 min intermittent shuttle-running test, which was designed to simulate the multiple-sprint sports. Vitamin C supplementation increased plasma concentrations of vitamin C before exercise, and plasma concentrations continued to increase during the shuttle-run to reach a peak of approximately 200 μmol × l-1 immediately after exercise. However, muscle soreness, and markers of both muscle damage (creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) were elevated to an equal extent after exercise in placebo and supplemented trials. Therefore acute supplementation with vitamin C had no beneficial effects although it is possible that such short-term vitamin C supplementation was ineffective because it occurred at an inappropriate time.

Key words:

Free-radicals, antioxidants, oxidative stress.

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Dr. Dylan Thompson

Department of Sport and Exercise ScienceUniversity of Bath

BA2 7AYUK

Phone: Phone:+ 44 (1225) 323177

Fax: Fax:+ 44 (1225) 826696

Email: E-mail:d.thompson@bath.ac.uk

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