The Influence of Short-term Quercetin Supplementation on Peak Oxygen Uptake During Simulated Altitude Exposure in Trained Cyclists

Authors

Justin A. Carlstrom, Castleton State CollegeFollow

Abstract

International Journal of Exercise Science 8(4): 394-402, 2015. Endurance performance and peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak) decline as altitude increases. Some data exist suggesting that quercetin supplementation improves aerobic capacity in trained and untrained individuals at sea-level (normobaric normoxic conditions). Few studies have examined the effects of quercetin on endurance performance during simulated altitude exposure (normobaric hypoxic conditions). The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of consuming 1000 mg·day^-1 of quercetin for two weeks on cycling VO_2peak in healthy trained male cyclists performing under normobaric normoxic and hypoxic conditions (NP and HP, respectively). Fourteen age-matched healthy male subjects were randomized to either a placebo or quercetin group. Baseline and post supplementation VO_2peak values were quantified during incremental cycling under normobaric normoxic (FIO₂ = 20.9%) and normobaric hypoxic (FIO₂ = 13.6 + 0.2%) conditions. Subjects consumed capsules twice daily with either 500 mg quercetin or placebo (Tang) for two weeks and were re-assessed. Test order was randomized and assessments were separated by 48-72 hours. At baseline, there were no significant differences between groups for VO_2peak normobaric normoxic trials (NP_baseline Placebo vs. NP_baseline Quercetin = 58.7+8.8 and 61.5+7.9 ml ^. kg^{-1 .} min^-1, respectively, p = 0.541) and normobaric hypoxic trials (HP_baseline Placebo vs. HP_baseline Quercetin = 48.5+8.3 and 50.8+4.8 ml ^. kg^{-1 .} min^-1, respectively, p = 0.534). No significant differences were found after treatment (Placebo: NP_baseline vs. NP_post = 58.7+ 8.8 and 56.7+7.4 ml ^. kg^{-1 .} min^-1, respectively, p = 0.10; HP_baseline vs .HP_post = 48.5+8.3 and 47.1+8.3, respectively, p = 0.50; Quercetin: NP_baseline vs. NP_post = 61.5+7.9 and 62.4+7.3 ml ^. kg^{-1 .} min^-1, respectively, p = 0.558; HP_baseline vs. HP_post = 50.8+4.8 and 51.2+3.8 ml ^. kg^{-1 .} min^-1, respectively, p= 0.656. These data suggest that short-term quercetin supplementation at 1000 mg ^. day^-1 does not affect VO_2peak elicited via incremental maximal cycle testing under normobaric normoxic and hypoxic conditions in trained male cyclists. Furthermore, quercetin supplementation did not attenuate the decline in VO_2peak that was evident in the normobaric hypoxic condition.

Recommended Citation

Carlstrom, Justin A. (2015) "The Influence of Short-term Quercetin Supplementation on Peak Oxygen Uptake During Simulated Altitude Exposure in Trained Cyclists," International Journal of Exercise Science: Vol. 8 : Iss. 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijes/vol8/iss4/8