Study on the effects of inosine and vitamins B1, B6 and B2 on physical performance in Thai fencers

Abstract

To investigate the ergogenic effects of oral inosine and vitamins B1, B6 and B12 on the level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in erythrocyte and on physical performance in twelve male fencers. The subjects, aged 20-29 years, were equally divided into 2 groups: group A (n=6) and group B (n=6). Inosine and placebo supplementation were conducted by a double blind, crossover study. Group A received inosine orally 1,200 mg/d for the first 2 weeks and placebo orally 1,200 mg/d for the next 3 weeks while group B underwent the reversed regimen. In addition, each subject in both groups received vitamins B1, B6 and B12 600, 30 and 0.60 mg/d, respectively, throughout the experimental 5-week period. Each subjects undertook inosine or placebo lactose and vitamins B aftermeal, 3 times/day. The physical performance: Handgrip strength (HG), maximal aerobic power (Vo(,2max), anaerobic power (AP), anaerobic capacity (AC), reaction time (RT) and movement time (MT) were determined. The tests were performed on a day prior to the food supplementation, at the end of the 2nd week, and at the end of the 5th week. Blood sample was taken from the antecubital vein in the morning on the testing day in order to assess the levels of ATP in erythrocytes (ATP), number of red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin (Hb). Analyses of data revealed significant effect (p<0.05) of either oral B vitamins alone or inosine and B vitamins together on RBC ATP level. Moreover, there were no significant relationships between ATP level in erythrocytes and the HG or Vo(,2max) or AP or AC. Vitamins B alone had significant effect (p<0.05) on Vo/9,2max) but not on HG, AP, AC, RT and MT. Both inosine and vitamins B when supplemented together had no significant effect on any tested physical parameters. Based upon the data, it was concluded that either B vitamins alone or inosine and B vitamins supplementation enhanced the ATP level in erythrocytes. There was no relationship between ATP level and physical performances. The B vitamin alone enhanced the aerobic performance while B vitamins with inosine did not. Therefore, Vitamins B alone or inosine and B vitamins, at the dose and the schedule used, should not be an ergogenic aid to enhance anaerobic and neuromuscular performances.