EXERCISE TRAINING, ANTIOXIDANT SUPPLEMENTATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Jeff S. Coombes

 

School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.

 

The cardiovascular health benefits of exercise training are irrefutable. In addition to improving risk factors such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and glucose tolerance there are benefits to vascular function, inflammation and oxidative stress. The effects of antioxidant supplementation on the cardiovascular system are less clear. Positive findings from observational, in vitro and animal studies have not been supported by randomized clinical trials. Many individuals who exercise consume antioxidant supplements in the belief that it will offset exercise-induced oxidative stress thus improving their cardiovascular health. The evidence for this approach is also weak with recent data indicating that reactive species may be necessary for important cell function such as calcium handling and cell signaling. This indicates that caution needs to be maintained when recommending antioxidants to exercising individuals until further data is collected. Therefore, the purpose of the presentation will be to discuss the studies investigating the effects of antioxidant supplements on cardiovascular health, with an additional focus on the interaction with exercise training. A discussion of new supplements will also be provided along with suggestions for directions for future research.