Guillory, I., Nelson, A. G., & Glickman, E. (2003). The effect of an acute dosage of an antioxidant mixture upon fatigue during intermittent work. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 807.

". . . when skeletal muscles contract during exercise, there is an increased production of free radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by the increase in oxygen uptake by the body and working muscles. Antioxidants help to defend the body against these ROS" (p. S145).

Males (N = 9) and females (N = 4) served as Ss. Some (N = 9) ingested an antioxidant tablet containing 25,000 IU beta carotene, 400 IU of vitamin E, and 500 milligrams of vitamin C. The other four Ss ingested a placebo. These supplements were ingested for one day. Then Ss performed 5 sets of 20 arm curls at 60 deg/sec with a 60-sec rest between each set.

No significant difference was found between the supplementation groups or between pre- and post-supplementation.

Implication. Acute supplementation with an antioxidant mixture has no affect upon work capacity or fatigue.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.