CoQ10: Benefits for Trained Athletes

2013-08-26 09:45:22

Athletes are always looking for ways to improve their performance. Sadly, some take it to such extremes that they end up compromising their integrity. New research suggests Co-enzyme Q10 supplementation may be able to provide that edge while remaining safe and legal to take. Researchers recruited 100 healthy, well- trained athletes preparing for the 2012 London Olympic games and gave them either 300mg of active CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) daily or placebo for 6 weeks.⁽¹⁾ Athletic performance was assessed through assessing maximum power output via a cycling ergometer prior to supplementation, after 3 weeks and after 6 weeks of supplementation. Although the training regimen itself resulted in improved performance, Ubiquinol supplementation enhanced it even more significantly. Additional benefits of CoQ10 for athletes include its ability to reduce muscle damage by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.^{(2, 3)} Athletes training for any sport typically put their bodies through a significant amount of stress and finding ways to combat the effects of it would only improve their game. From the mounting research on CoQ10 and its many health benefits it seems a natural choice not only for this elite group of individuals but for anyone with a strenuous exercise regimen.