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Influence of vitamin E on physical performance
1Hermes Arzneimittel GmbH, medizinisch-wissenschaftliche Abteilung, Grosshesselohe/München.
Summary
Vitamin E supplementation improved physical performance in high-altitude climbers by enhancing energy metabolism and acting as an antioxidant. This study found vitamin E beneficial for endurance and cellular protection at extreme altitudes.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Altitude Medicine
Background:
- Vitamin E possesses properties beneficial for physical performance, including economical energy metabolism and antioxidant stabilization.
- High altitude environments pose physiological challenges that can impact physical performance and increase oxidative stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on physical performance and oxidative stress markers in high-altitude mountain climbers.
- To assess the influence of vitamin E on anaerobic threshold and lipid peroxidation at high altitude.
Main Methods:
- A 10-week expedition study involving 12 high-altitude mountain climbers, divided into a vitamin E treatment group (2x200 mg dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate daily) and a placebo control group.
- Monitoring of anaerobic threshold (AT) and pentane exhalation (a marker of lipid peroxidation) throughout the expedition.
Main Results:
- The vitamin E group showed a sustained increase in anaerobic threshold, while the control group experienced a significant decrease (p < 0.01).
- Pentane exhalation, indicating lipid peroxidation, remained unchanged in the vitamin E group but more than doubled in the control group (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Vitamin E supplementation demonstrates a beneficial effect on physical performance, specifically enhancing endurance capacity at high altitudes.
- Vitamin E provides significant cellular protection by mitigating lipid peroxidation in athletes undertaking strenuous activity in extreme environments.