Bicycling performance in Gambian children: effects of supplements of riboflavin or ascorbic acid.

Sixty rural Gambian children between 10 and 14 years of age with normal haematological status but generally poor riboflavin status and some evidence of poor ascorbic acid status were recruited for study at the beginning of the rainy season. Children were allocated to three treatment groups to receive, twice weekly, either a placebo or a supplement of riboflavin or ascorbic acid. Before receiving the supplement, and on two subsequent occasions 6 weeks apart children performed an exercise regimen on a bicycle ergometer during which expired air was collected, heart rate monitored and lactate accumulation measured. A modest but significant improvement in ascorbic acid status occurred in response to supplement and the riboflavin supplement enhanced the overall improvement in riboflavin status observed. There was no measurable change in bicycling performance during the study period in any of the treatment groups.