Antioxidants Supplementation and Exercise Performance

補充抗氧化劑對運動能力的影響

Abstract

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese.

Physical exercise is known to have many beneficial effects. However, intense physical training can concomitantly result in increased free radical production in human body, thereby inducing a greater oxidative-stress that may cause damage to the cells. In this article, the mechanism of free radicals formation, the assessment of oxidative stress in human, and the defense system in the body against the anti-oxidative damage will be discussed. Studies in the effect of antioxidant supplementation on exercise performance will also be reviewed. Research findings suggest that supplementation of antioxidants can reduce the oxidative damage to muscle and other tissues induced by vigorous exercise. However, the effect of such supplementation on exercise performance remains unclear.

雖然運動對人體所產生的益處已被廣泛肯定，可是高強度的運動訓練卻會增加體內自由基的濃度，從而損害身體的組織。本文綜述自由基形成的機制，身體對自由基的反應，與及如何量度自由基對身體的損害和補充抗氧化劑對運動能力的影響。研究證實補充抗氧化劑能有效減低身體受自由基的傷害，但能否增進運動能力則尚需探究。