Effect of CoQ10 on Anaerobic Performance in Elite Wrestlers

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at investigating the effect of a single dose of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, on anaerobic power, agility, speed, muscular strength, and muscular endurance in professional freestyle wrestlers. A total of 14 elite wrestlers (age: 20.36 ± 3.00 years; weight: 73.43 ± 11.58 kg; height: 1.71 ± 0.05 m; and body mass index: 24.93 ± 2.68 kg/m²) of Babol Township were recruited as subjects. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups (n = 7). Both groups consumed CoQ10 (200 mg) or placebo (starch) in the form of capsules using a double-blind, counterbalanced crossover design with a week interval. Two hours following consumption of the capsules, the following tests were conducted: handgrip dynamometer, chin up, Illinois Agility Run Test, 35-meter run, and the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). Results were indicative of significant improvements in speed (p = .016), agility (p = .032), average anaerobic power (p = .048), and minimum anaerobic power (p = .044). However, no significant changes were found in the amount of grip strength (p = .449), muscular endurance (p = .282), peak anaerobic power (p = .096), and fatigue index (p = .363). The results of this study showed that acute consumption of CoQ10 supplement can improve some anaerobic performance variables in elite wrestlers.

Keywords:

• nutrition
• anaerobic performance
• wrestler
• CoQ10
• ergogenic aid

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

No external funding was used for doing of this study. Herein, it is appreciated to all wrestlers and their coaches (Mahmood Hasannia, Ali Shokripur, and Ali Khorasani) of the city of Babol that have cooperated with the authors in this study.