Abstract:

It is believed that vitamin supplements enhance exercise performance. Furthermore, the theoretical basis related with why vitamin supplements should increase sports performance is not clear. Because of thefrequent use of vitamin C, this review is limited to studies focusing on the effects of vitamin C supplementation on exercise performance and muscle damage. The results of the studies are conflicted so it is difficult to make the finalconclusion. In conclusion, vitamin C supplementation doesn’t improve endurance and strength performance, furthermore it may attenuate oxidativestress and also muscle damage and soreness. It has been demonstrated that,under some conditions, vitamin C supplementation exacerbates oxidativestress and cellular damage, and increases the lipid peroxidation level. The indiscriminately use of vitamin C supplement may react as pro-oxidant. Instead of using vitamin C supplements, in all cases, adequate andwell-balanced diet should be consumed