Dead Sea Marathon-Induced Muscle Damage and Acute Oral Vitamin E Supplementation

Downhill running and eccentric muscle contractions provoke muscle damage. The Dead Sea Marathon has a unique race course with a 1368 m decline in elevation from start to finish. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of muscle damage and the effectiveness of short term α-tocopherol (Vitamin E) supplementation in reducing muscle damage induced by the Dead Sea Marathon. Fourteen well-trained distance runners were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 7) or a Vitamin E group (n = 7). The vitamin E group was orally supplemented with vitamin E (400 IU·d-1) for 5 days (3 days premarathon, marathon day, and post-marathon day). Dietary and training logs were obtained and analyzed. Fluid consumption, running pace, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected for each participant before, during and immediately after the race without any significant differences between groups. During-race weight loss was significantly higher in the Vitamin E group (control: - 5.8 ± 0. 9% vs. Vitamin E: -6.31 ± 0. 3%; P=0.001). Serum creatine kinase (CK) activity was analyzed 24 hrs post-race, and although values were high in both groups, no difference existed between groups (control: 5351.6 ± 1331.9 U·L-1 vs. Vitamin E: -5337.3 ± 1058.4 U·L-1; P>0.05). In conclusion, the Dead Sea marathon induced high muscle damage with no protection from Vitamin E supplementation.