Effects of short-term quercetin supplementation on soldier performance

J Strength Cond Res. 2012 Jul:26 Suppl 2:S53-60. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31825cf22d.

Abstract

The purpose was to assess the short-term effects of quercetin supplementation on aerobically demanding soldier performance. In a double-blind crossover study, 16 male soldiers performed 3 days of aerobically demanding exercise under 3 conditions: Baseline (B), Placebo (P), and Quercetin (Q). Day 1 was a treadmill V[Combining Dot Above]O₂peak test. Days 2 and 3 were identical, consisting of 75 minutes of loaded treadmill marching (LM) and a subsequent cycling time trial (TT) to complete 200 kJ of work. After B condition, the soldiers consumed 2 energy bars, each containing 0 mg (placebo) or 500 mg of quercetin (1,000 mg·d⁻¹) for 8.5 days. Beginning day 6 of supplementation, the soldiers performed the 3 exercise days. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in plasma Q after Q supplementation. Repeated measures analyses of variance revealed no differences after P or Q supplementation as compared with B in V[Combining Dot Above]O₂peak (B = 48.9 ± 1.1, P = 49.3 ± 1.1, Q = 48.8 ± 1.2 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) or TT time (B = 18.4 ± 1.0, P = 18.5 ± 1.1, Q = 18.3 ± 1.0 minutes [mean day 1 and day 2]). The respiratory exchange ratio during LM did not differ across treatments (B = 0.87 ± 0.03, P = 0.87 ± 0.03, Q = 0.86 ± 0.04 [mean day 1 and day 2]). Ratings of perceived exertion were not affected by Q supplementation during the V[Combining Dot Above]O₂peak test, LM or TT. Supplementation of 1,000 mg·d⁻¹ of quercetin for 8.5 days had no positive effect on aerobically demanding soldier performance. It is possible that a different dosing regimen, a combination of antioxidants or a different form of quercetin supplementation, may be needed to produce an increase in soldier performance.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage*
  • Antioxidants / analysis
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Exercise Test
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Military Personnel*
  • Oxygen Consumption / drug effects
  • Oxygen Consumption / physiology
  • Physical Endurance / drug effects
  • Physical Endurance / physiology
  • Quercetin / administration & dosage*
  • Quercetin / blood
  • Walking / physiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Quercetin