Impact of Coenzyme Q-10 on Parameters of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Muscle Performance in Older Athletes Taking Statins
Abstract
Many older athletes take statins, which are known to have potential for muscle toxicity. The adverse effects of statins on muscles and the influence thereof on athletic performance remain uncertain. Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10) may improve performance and reduce muscle toxicity in older athletes taking statins. This trial was designed to evaluate the benefits of CoQ10 administration for mitochondrial function in this population. Twenty athletes aged ≥ 50 years who were taking stable doses of statins were randomized to receive either CoQ10 (200 mg daily) or placebo for 6 weeks in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to evaluate the impact of CoQ10 on the anaerobic threshold (AT). Several secondary endpoints, including muscle function, cardiopulmonary exercise function, and subjective feelings of fitness, were also assessed. The mean (SD) change in AT from baseline was -0.59 (1.2) mL/kg/min during placebo treatment and 2.34 (0.8) mL/kg/min during CoQ10 treatment (P = 0.116). The mean change in time to AT from baseline was significantly greater during CoQ10 treatment than during placebo treatment (40.26 s vs 0.58 s, P = 0.038). Furthermore, muscle strength as measured by leg extension repetitions (reps) increased significantly during CoQ10 treatment, with a mean (SD) increase from baseline of 1.73 (2.9) reps during placebo treatment versus 3.78 (5.0) reps during CoQ10 treatment (P = 0.031). Many other parameters also tended to improve in response to CoQ10 treatment. Treatment with CoQ10 improved AT in comparison with baseline values in 11 of 19 (58%) subjects and in comparison with placebo treatment values in 10 of 19 (53%) subjects. Treatment with CoQ10 (200 mg daily) did not significantly improve AT in older athletes taking statins. However, it did improve muscle performance as measured by time to AT and leg strength (quadriceps muscle reps). Many other measures of mitochondrial function also tended to improve during CoQ10 treatment.
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“…of CoQ10 supplementation on other mitochondrial markers such as the L/P ratio, with a significant reduction in one study, (46) a non-significant trend of reduction in two studies, (52,53) and with an increase of L/P ratio in the control group but not in the intervention group in another trial.”
- Authors
- Deichmann, R. E., Lavie, C. J., & Dornelles, A. C.
- Affiliations
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Deichmann, Richard E.
- Venue
- The Physician and Sportsmedicine
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2012-11
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 88-95
- ISSN
- 0091-3847 (ISSN-L)
- 2326-3660
- OpenAlex
- W2074001869
- Cited by
- 35
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 4
- FWCI
- 1.54
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Physician and Sportsmedicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Coenzyme Q10 studies and effects
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Keywords
- coenzyme Q10, statins, statin-induced myopathy, older athletes, anaerobic threshold, cardiopulmonary exercise capacity, muscle strength, mitochondrial function, exercise performance
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Cardiovascular System, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Physical Fitness, Respiratory System, Retrospective Studies, Ubiquinone, Vitamins, Muscle, Skeletal, Cross-Over Studies, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, Muscle Strength, Athletes
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