Yokell, S. M., Weitkunat, S. D., Cordain, L., Harris, M. A., Tucker, A., & Gottshall, R. W. (1997). Exercise capacity and lipid peroxidation during hypobaric exposure with vitamin E supplementation. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 29(5), Supplement abstract 1418.

"Because of the increased oxidative stress of aerobic exercise at high altitude, previous studies have suggested that vitamin E supplementation may elicit an ergogenic effect by reducing free radical reactions that impact components of the respiratory chain." (p. S249)

Results suggested that vitamin E supplementation can reduce exercise induced free radical production from hypobaric exposure but it does not influence aerobic exercise performance either at normal or simulated high altitude.

Implication. Vitamin E supplementation does not improve aerobic performance at normal or high altitude.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.