The Effects of Antioxidant Supplementation on Soccer Performance and Recovery: A Critical Review of the Available Evidence.

Soccer is linked to an acute inflammatory response and the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidant supplements have shown promising effects in reducing muscle damage and oxidative stress and enhancing the recovery process after eccentric exercise. This critical review highlights the influence of antioxidant supplements on performance and recovery following soccer-related activity, training, or competition. English-language publications from the main databases that examine how antioxidant-based nutrition and supplements affect the recovery process before, during, and after soccer practice or competition were used. (CoQ10), (Asx), (ROJS), (LC), (NAC), (BET), , and reduce muscle damage (creatine kinase, myoglobin, cortisol, lactate dehudrogenase, muscle soreness). , (DHA), , and restrict inflammation (leukocytes, prostalagdin E2, -reactive protein, IL-6 and 10). Q10, DHA, Asx, , , , , , ROJS, , , (GTE), (STE) reduce oxidative stress (malondialdehude, glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutases, protein carbonyls, ascorbate, glutathione peroxidase, and paraoxonase 1). BET and NAC reinforce performance (endurance, jump, speed, strength). Further research is needed to determine the main mechanism and the acute and long-term impacts of antioxidant supplements in soccer.