Effects of vitamin E supplementation on muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase, and plasma malondialdehyde following an endurance-ergometer ride

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of vitamin E supplementation on muscle soreness ratings (MSRs), plasma creatine kinase (CK), and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) following an endurance-ergometer ride at 70% maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max). Eleven trained male cyclists (mean age = 29.0 +. 2.1 years and mean VO2 max = 62.3 ml .kg-1.min-1) participated in a ten-week, double-blind, cross-over study. They received either placebo or vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol; 800 mg/day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the fourth week, they performed an endurance-ergometer ride at 70% max VO2 for four hours or to exhaustion, whichever occurred first. Blood samples were taken during the ride from an indwelling catheter placed in an antecubital vein. Post ride 24, 48, and 72 hour blood samples were taken via venipuncture from an antecubital vein. Prior to each blood drawing, MSRs were determined by using a rating scale of 1 (no soreness) to 10 (very, very sore). Dietary intake was monitored for the four days preceding each endurance ride