A review of the literature revealed controversy regarding the effectiveness of vitamin E supplementation upon improvement among parameters relating to strength, endurance and anthropometric measures. A lack of unbiased experimental designs in prior studies provided the motivation to investigate the effects of vitamin E supplementation upon:
1) neuromuscular strength as measured by a newly devised strength analysis system (HPR-100).
2) cardiovascular efficiency from a 5 minute submaximal bicycle ergometer test with continuous monitoring of EKG and oxygen consumption,
3) pulmonary function measures (vital capacity and forced expiratory volume - one second),
4) anthropometric assessment of height, weight, girths, and skinfold estimates of percent body fat.
Forty-five male volunteers, between 25 and 51 years of age were matched and placed into one of three experimental groups: Placebo - Calcium lactate; Syntethic vitamin E - 6 IU; Natural vitamin E - 300 IU
Each group ingested 3 tablets daily for 9 weeks, otherwise maintaining normal lifestyles. All groups gained weight. Few strength changes were noted in any of the 3 groups and were small in comparison to changes normally seen with strength improvement through "biofeedback" techniques with the HPR-100. None of the changes in any of the variables were significantly different among the 3 experimental groups.
Results from this study fail to support the theory that vitamin E supplementation, either in synthetic or natural form, improves either strength or endurance.
Author keywords: vitamin E supplementation, strength evaluation, vitamin E and strength changes
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