Effects of Coenzyme Athletic Performance System as an Ergogenic Aid on Endurance Performance to Exhaustion

Abstract

This study examined the effects of the Coenzyme Athletic Performance System (CAPS) on endurance performance to exhaustion. CAPS contains 100 mg coenzyme Q10,500 mg cytochrome C, 100 mg inosine, and 200 IU vitamin E. Eleven highly trained male triathletes were given three daily doses of either CAPS or placebo (dicalcium phosphate) for two 4-week periods using a double-blind crossover design. A 4-week washout period separated the two treatment periods. An exhaustive performance test, consisting of 90 minutes of running on a treadmill (70%) followed by cycling (70%) until exhaustion, was conducted after each treatment period. The mean (±SEM) time to exhaustion for the subjects using CAPS (223 ±17 min) was not significantly different (p=0.57) from the placebo trial (215 ±9 min). Blood glucose, lactate, and free fatty acid concentrations at exhaustion did not differ between treatments (p< 0.05). CAPS had no apparent benefit on exercise to exhaustion.

Coenzyme Q10 in health and disease

“…Several randomised experimental studies on Q 10 supplementation and physical capacity have been undertaken (Braun et al, 1991;Snider et al, 1992;Porter et al, 1995;Laaksonen et al, 1995;Malm et al, 1997;Weston et al, 1997;Ylikoski et al, 1997). Out of 11 studies, ®ve indicated a positive effect of Q 10 on physical capacity, ®ve indicated no effect and one study a negative effect of Q 10 .…”

Evaluation of oxidative status in short-term exercises of adolescent athletes

“…Some studies have shown a decrease in glutathione and an increase in glutathione peroxidase activity after exercise, which returned to baseline levels 1 hour after exercise [6,32]. It is widely assumed that oxidative stress is detrimental to exercise performance, but there is little experimental evidence to support this data.…”

The effects of an L-methionine combination supplement on symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections and performance in ultramarathon runners before, during and after ultra-endurance exercise

“…Time to exhaustion at 70% VO 2max was not reduced in 11 highly trained male triathlon athletes after 4 weeks of supplementation with vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, cytochrome C and inosine. 30 Reid et al, 25 however found an improvement in muscular endurance (during low frequency stimulation) following treatment with 150 mg N-acetylcysteine (a glutathione precursor). N-acetylcysteine has been shown to increase glutathione levels in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in humans; however its use is limited due to a number of side-effects.…”

“…19 In addition to studying the effects of antioxidant supplements on immune status and URTIs, a number of studies have also investigated their role in performance. 23,25,30,34 Although several studies have indicated that supplementation with vitamins E and C decreases exercise-induced oxidative stress, there is little evidence that antioxidant supplementation can improve human performance. 24 However, one well-designed study has reported an improvement in muscular endurance following supplementation with Nacetylcysteine (a glutathione precursor).…”