The effect of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on anaerobic glycolysis in men

The main objective of this research project was to evaluate the influence of antioxidant vitamin supplementation and prolonged aerobic physical exercise on anaerobic glycolysis. The research included 36 healthy students of physical education not engaged in competitive sport. The students were divided randomly into 3 groups of 12 subjects each. Group I was supplemented with daily doses of vitamin C (150 mg), vitamin E – 24 mg, ß-caroten 14,4 mg and selenium (80 µg), while group II 45 mg of Q10-coenzyme and 54 mg of a-tocopherol. Control group did not use any supplements. All of the subjects performed a 1-hour continuous ergocycle effort (Monark 814E) according to the test protocol described by Jeukendrup et al. (1996). The load was constant during the entire test and equaled 60% Wmax yet the pedaling rate was increased during the last 15 min. to individual maximal possibilities. During the first 45 min the subjects pedaled at a rate of 60 rev/min, increasing it over the last 15 min on order to perform the highest possible external work. The test was conducted 3 times, before supplementation, after 3 weeks and following 6 weeks of supplementation. The results showed that increase of glycolytic activity measured by ?LA was significant in group II after 3 and 6 weeks (p£0,01) of supplementation. Statistically significant increase of work in last 15 min. of test was observed in group I after 3 and 6 weeks (p£0,01) of supplementation.