Abstract
A matched-pair trial under near double-blind conditions has tested the physiological effects of an 85-day-course of d-α tocopherol acid succinate (1200 I.U./day) in 20 university class swimmers. Valid comparisons were possible in 7 of the 10 pairs. These showed good initial matching of maximum oxygen intake, recovery curves, muscle strength and e.c.g. waveform. Despite a substantial yardage of swimming training (∼ 20,000 yards/week), neither test nor control groups improved their aerobic power. However, both groups showed a reduction in the lactate component of the oxygen debt, with a faster pulse recovery curve. Muscle strengths tended to decline, the loss of handgrip strength being significant in the control group. No change of e.c.g. waveform was observed except a small increase of T wave height in the controls. It is concluded that the swimmers gained no advantage from the Vitamin E, although it could conceivably have helped maintain equality of status in the face of a slightly smaller weekly yardage than that of the control group.
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The increased survival could equally reflect an anti-oxidant effect with a decrease of resting metabolism.
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Shephard, R.J., Campbell, R., Pimm, P. et al. Vitamin E, exercise, and the recovery from physical activity. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 33, 119–126 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00449513
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00449513