The Claim

Acute supplementation with vitamin C and E has no significant effect on delayed onset muscle soreness or perceived exertion during or after endurance exercise in trained male runners aged 39–58 years.

Source: Effects of Acute Vitamin C plus Vitamin E Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Runners: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
80score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Description
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Taking vitamin C and E supplements shortly before or after long-distance running does not reduce muscle soreness or the feeling of effort in trained male runners aged 39–58.

See the scientific wording

Acute vitamin C and E supplementation does not significantly alter delayed onset muscle soreness or perceived exertion during or after endurance exercise in trained male runners aged 39–58 years, indicating that these antioxidants do not meaningfully reduce subjective muscle discomfort following prolonged running.

Why this might work

Taking vitamin C and E before running does not change how much muscle tissue is damaged or how the brain senses effort and soreness afterward, because the body's natural repair signals and nerve responses to fatigue are not affected by these supplements.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Effects of Acute Vitamin C plus Vitamin E Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Runners: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

    The study gave some runners vitamin C and E before a long run and others a fake pill — and both groups felt just as sore and tired afterward. So, the vitamins didn’t help reduce soreness or effort.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.