Effects of Vitamin C on Eosinophils after Sub-Maximal Physical Exercise in Students

Oxidative stress due to submaximal physical exercise is a physiological process that can cause a decrease in immune function. Oxidative stress due to submaximal physical exercise results in increased susceptibility of a person to infection, which can reduce the degree of health. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin C on the amount of eosinophils after physical exercise. This type of research is a quasi-experimental research with experimental design pre and post test group design. Research subjects were 20 students. Samples were taken by purposive sampling. The study was carried out at the Physical Laboratory of the Faculty of Sport Science UNIMED and the Regional Health Laboratory of North Sumatra Province to measure blood. There was a difference in the decrease in the average number of eosinophils, in the 2 groups, In group 1 namely the submaximal physical exercise group and placebo there was a greater decrease in the number of eosinophils compared to group 2 (42.10 % vs 7.40 %). This means that administration of vitamin C after submaximal physical exercise can prevent a decrease in immunity. Submaximal physical exercise combined with taking vitamin C can prevent a decrease in immunity because vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals produced during submaximal physical exercise