The Antioxidant Paradox in Soccer: Striking the Balance between Protection and Performance

Antioxidants are also taken by athletes to facilitate recovery and performance, especially by soccer players, given their high-level physical activity, which has been reported to produce ROS that contribute to the severity of muscle injury and fatigue. However, ROS also act as signaling mediators, crucial for muscle adaptation and mitochondrial function. The recent study aims to discuss the potential dual role of antioxidant intake in soccer, emphasizing that chronic intake can inhibit adaptations via ROS signaling, whereas acute intake can be useful for athletes, especially during periods with congested fixtures. The study involves the role of vitamin C and vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), polyphenols, as well as other commonly supplemented antioxidants with further explanation on the potential role of the time, dosage, and duration associated with recovery, findings showing potential enhanced recovery for soccer players following intake but with high dosage potentially associated with inhibited adaptations. Recommendations for soccer players, specifically coaches, relate to the appropriate timing of antioxidant supplementation to prevent inhibited adaptations following permissible levels of use during training.