Effects of antioxidant pretreatment on skeletal muscle damage and oxidative stress following acute high-intensity exercise: a meta-analysis

• Antioxidant pretreatment significantly reduces post-exercise serum creatine kinase, interleukin-6, and malondialdehyde levels, while enhancing glutathione peroxidase activity and total antioxidant capacity. • Low-dose (≤500 mg/d) short-term (≤14 d) antioxidant supplementation is more effective in suppressing malondialdehyde levels, whereas high-dose long-term intervention may inhibit exercise adaptation. • Training status significantly moderates the effect: general athletes show greater reduction in malondialdehyde levels than elite athletes. • Short-term high-dose antioxidant supplementation is recommended for rapid recovery during competition periods, but long-term use should be carefully weighed against potential inhibition of training adaptations.