Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Athletes: A Systematic Review.

Georgian Badicu, Matheus Santos de Sousa Fernandes, Débora Eduarda da Silvia Fidelis, Felipe J Aidar, Gianpiero Greco, Stefania Cataldi, Gabriela Carvalho Jurema Santos, Raphael Frabrício de Souza, Luca Paolo Ardigò

Journal: Nutrients 2023;15(18):3990

PMID: 37764774

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Plain Language Summary

The amount of exercise required by elite athletes can put the body under stress. In this instance, the diet cannot mitigate for the level of nutrition required to maintain athletic performance and so supplements may be required. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is present in the body and required for optimal functioning of parts of the cells that produce energy. It is also available in supplemental form and this systematic review of 17 studies aimed to determine the impact of CoQ10 supplementation on body composition and athletic performance. The results showed that body composition, and athletic performance were unaffected by CoQ10 supplementation. However, antioxidant capacity, fatigue, and liver function were improved. It was concluded that CoQ10 supplementation can reduce fatigue and improve athletic performance but has no effect on aerobic capacity. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to justify the use of CoQ10 by athletes who are failing to get sufficient dietary nutrition and would like to increase their athletic performance.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

To summarize available evidence in the literature on the impacts of CoQ supplementation on metabolic, biochemical, and performance outcomes in athletes.

METHODS

Six databases, Cochrane Library (33 articles), PubMed (90 articles), Scopus (55 articles), Embase (60 articles), SPORTDiscus (1056 articles), and Science Direct (165 articles), were researched. After applying the eligibility criteria, articles were selected for peer review independently as they were identified by June 2022. The protocol for this systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022357750).

RESULTS

Of the 1409 articles found, 16 were selected for this systematic review. After CoQ supplementation, a decrease in oxidative stress markers was observed, followed by higher antioxidant activity. On the other hand, lower levels of liver damage markers (ALT); Aspartate aminotransferase (AST); and Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT) were identified. Finally, we found a reduction in fatigue indicators such as Creatine Kinase (CK) and an increase in anaerobic performance.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review concludes that supplementation with orally administered CoQ (30-300 mg) was able to potentiate plasma antioxidant activity and anaerobic performance, reducing markers linked to oxidative stress and liver damage in athletes from different modalities aged 17 years old and older.

Address: Graduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, Brazil.; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Aplicada à Saúde, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, Brazil.; Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, Sergipe, Brazil.; Department of Physical Education and Special Motricity, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500068 Braşov, Romania.; Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience (DiBraiN), University of Study of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy.; Graduate Program in Nutrition, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50740-600, Pernambuco, Brazil.; Department of Teacher Education, NLA University College, 5812 Oslo, Norway.

DOI: 10.3390/nu15183990