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The effects of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on expiratory flow rates at rest and during exercise

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Abstract

Purpose

Previous studies suggest that pulmonary function is associated with fruit and vegetable consumption and plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins. Also, expiratory flow limitation (EFL) has been reported to limit ventilation during exercise in healthy individuals. We hypothesized antioxidant vitamin supplementation (AVS) would increase resting expiratory flow rates in healthy subjects and reduce EFL during exercise.

Methods

Ten healthy, nonsmoking subjects (5 M/5 W), consuming <5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day, participated in a randomized, single-blinded crossover design study with subjects receiving a placebo (PLA) or AVS [vitamins C (500 mg), E (400 IU), beta-carotene (15,000 IU), zinc (7.5 mg), selenium (50 mg), copper (1 mg), and manganese (2.5 mg)] for 4 weeks. After a minimum 4-week washout period, subjects received the alternate supplementation. Pulmonary function tests and total antioxidant status (TAS) from plasma were measured pre- and post-supplement period. Subjects completed a pre- and post-supplement treadmill test for 20 min at 70 % \(\dot V \text{O}_{2\text {max}}\) followed by increasing workload until exhaustion.

Results

AVS increased (p < 0.05) TAS by ~21 % and resting expiratory flow rates (FEF25–75, FEF50) by ~9 %. Following AVS, %EFL was significantly reduced by ~15 % at minute 15, 20, and end-exercise with no change (p > 0.05) in end-expiratory lung volumes. Breathing frequency and ratings of perceived exertion and dyspnea were also lower (p < 0.05) at min 20 of exercise. No changes (p > 0.05) were evident at rest or during exercise with PLA.

Conclusions

These results suggest that AVS can increase TAS, improve resting expiratory flow rates and reduce EFL during exercise in healthy subjects who are not meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations.

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Abbreviations

AVS:

Antioxidant vitamin supplementation

EFL:

Expiratory flow limitation

FEF25-75 :

Forced expiratory flow at 25–75 % of FVC

FEF50 :

Forced expiratory flow at 50 % of FVC

FEV1 :

Forced expiratory volume in 1 s

FVC:

Forced vital capacity

MFVL:

Maximum flow-volume loop

PFTs:

Pulmonary function tests

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

TAS:

Total antioxidant status

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, 1A Natatorium, Manhattan, KS, USA

    Leonie M. Chenoweth, Joshua R. Smith, Christine S. Ferguson, Amy E. Downey & Craig A. Harms

Authors
  1. Leonie M. Chenoweth
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  2. Joshua R. Smith
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  3. Christine S. Ferguson
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  4. Amy E. Downey
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  5. Craig A. Harms
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joshua R. Smith.

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Communicated by Susan Hopkins.

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Chenoweth, L.M., Smith, J.R., Ferguson, C.S. et al. The effects of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on expiratory flow rates at rest and during exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 2049–2058 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3183-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3183-z

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