Quercetin in Sports and Exercise: A review.

2023-10-01
International journal of exercise science 16(2)
- Jennifer A Kurtz
- Trisha A Vandusseldorp
- Brent Uken
- Jeff Otis

PubMed: 38288402
DOI: 10.70252/gqok2958

Study Design

Type: Review
Sample size: n = 34
Methods: Systematic review of peer-reviewed studies investigating Quercetin supplementation in exercise, with dosages 500 mg - 3000 mg, acute dosing 15 min-to-1 h prior to exercise or chronic dosing (7 days - 8 weeks). Searched Google Scholar, Web of Science, MedLine (PubMed) through July-December 2021.

This paper systematically reviews the latest evidence regarding Quercetin's (Q) effect following exercise performance, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, muscle-damaging bouts and highlights blood biomarkers associated with muscle damage and recovery. Google Scholar, Web of Science, and MedLine (PubMed) searches were conducted through July-December 2021. Peer-reviewed studies that investigated Q as a single ingredient or in combination with other ingredients at dosages of 500 mg - 3000 mg, ranging from 15 min-to-1 h prior to exercise bout or chronic dose (7 days - 8 weeks) of consumption were included. A total of 34 studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. Key results include significant performance improvements in the following: VO2max (n = 2), time to exhaustion (n = 4 articles), fatigue decrement (n = 1 article), muscle damage (n = 3 articles), strength, torque velocity, and neuromuscular performance (n = 3 articles), redox potential (n = 1 article), repeated sprint performance and oxygen extraction (n = 1). Q also caused a change in systemic biomarkers: decrease in creatine kinase (n = 2), c-reactive protein (n = 4), lactate dehydrogenase (n = 4), inflammatory markers (n = 3), lipid peroxidation (n = 3) in aerobic and anaerobic performance. Varied findings exist regarding the efficacy of Q supplementation on exercise performance and recovery outcomes. The source of Q, training status of subjects, and exercise protocol performed may contribute to the effectiveness of Q as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or ergogenic agent in exercise.

Research Insights

Quercetin→Improved Neuromuscular Function
significant performance improvements in the following: strength, torque velocity, and neuromuscular performance (n = 3 articles)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500-3000 mg
Quercetin→Improved Redox Potential
significant performance improvements in the following: redox potential (n = 1 article)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500-3000 mg
Quercetin→Improved Repeated Sprint Performance
significant performance improvements in the following: repeated sprint performance and oxygen extraction (n = 1)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500-3000 mg
Quercetin→Improved Time to Exhaustion
significant performance improvements in the following: time to exhaustion (n = 4 articles)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500-3000 mg
Quercetin→Improved VO2max
significant performance improvements in the following: VO2max (n = 2)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500-3000 mg
Quercetin→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
decrease in c-reactive protein (n = 4)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500-3000 mg
Quercetin→Reduced Creatine Kinase Level
decrease in creatine kinase (n = 2)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500-3000 mg
Quercetin→Reduced Fatigue Decrement
significant performance improvements in the following: fatigue decrement (n = 1 article)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500-3000 mg
Quercetin→Reduced Inflammatory Markers
decrease in inflammatory markers (n = 3)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500-3000 mg
Quercetin→Reduced Lactate Dehydrogenase Level
decrease in lactate dehydrogenase (n = 4)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500-3000 mg
Quercetin→Reduced Lipid Peroxidation
decrease in lipid peroxidation (n = 3) in aerobic and anaerobic performance
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500-3000 mg
Quercetin→Reduced Muscle Damage
significant performance improvements in the following: muscle damage (n = 3 articles)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500-3000 mg