Many of our athletes enquire about the potential benefits of antioxidants in preventing/reducing muscle soreness after exercise.
A well respected database for medical literature (Cochrane) has performed a systematic review (which is the highest level of evidence available) on this topic.
Their review covered randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials investigating the effects of all forms of antioxidant supplementation including specific antioxidant supplements (e.g. tablets, powders, concentrates) and antioxidant-enriched foods or diets on preventing or reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Fifty randomised, placebo-controlled trials were deemed to be of sufficient quality to be included.
The authors concluded that there is moderate to low-quality evidence that high dose antioxidant supplementation does not result in a clinically relevant reduction of muscle soreness after exercise at up to 6 hours or at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after exercise.
Thus, based on the best current evidence, there is not a significant benefit in the use of antioxidants for preventing and reducing muscle soreness after exercise.
P3 Physiotherapy. Keeping you up to date with the latest in injury management and maximising sports performance
A well respected database for medical literature (Cochrane) has performed a systematic review (which is the highest level of evidence available) on this topic.
Their review covered randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials investigating the effects of all forms of antioxidant supplementation including specific antioxidant supplements (e.g. tablets, powders, concentrates) and antioxidant-enriched foods or diets on preventing or reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Fifty randomised, placebo-controlled trials were deemed to be of sufficient quality to be included.
The authors concluded that there is moderate to low-quality evidence that high dose antioxidant supplementation does not result in a clinically relevant reduction of muscle soreness after exercise at up to 6 hours or at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after exercise.
Thus, based on the best current evidence, there is not a significant benefit in the use of antioxidants for preventing and reducing muscle soreness after exercise.
P3 Physiotherapy. Keeping you up to date with the latest in injury management and maximising sports performance
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