Southern, W. M, Shill, D. D., Lansford, K. A., Willingham, T. B., McCully, K. K., & Jenkins, N. T. (2016). Effects of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant supplementation on mitochondrial adaptations to endurance training in healthy men. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 48(5), Supplement abstract number 254.

This study determined the effects of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant supplementation on mitochondrial adaptations to chronic exercise training in young men (N = 19; ages ~22 years). Ss were randomly assigned to receive either a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant (N = 9) or placebo (N = 10). Ss performed cycle training for three weeks at 50-70% of VO2max. VO2max and an in-vivo assessment of mitochondrial oxidative capacity were assessed before and after training. Mitochondrial oxidative capacity was measured via post-exercise recovery kinetics of muscle oxygen consumption using near infrared spectroscopy in the vastus lateralis muscle.

Three weeks of cycle-training increased VO2max, but no differences occurred between treatment groups. Similarly, exercise training increased mitochondrial oxidative capacity rate constants with no differences between treatment groups.

Implication. Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant supplementation did not alter mitochondrial adaptations to endurance-exercise training. Three weeks of cycle-training enhanced mitochondrial oxidative capacity in the vastus lateralis muscle.

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